The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including seizure disorder, residuals of sternectomy, numbness and tightness of the right hand, left hip condition, and impotence, were not proximately caused by VA medical treatment provided in 2003. The causes are considered to be related to the surgery itself or other known risk factors.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that any additional disabilities were due to the nature of the CABG procedure and its complications rather than negligence on the part of VA providers.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizure disorder, Residuals of sternectomy, Numbness and tightness of the right hand, Left hip disorder, Impotence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1642759
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1642759.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a seizure disorder rating of 20 percent is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition increased in severity within one year after separation from service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, and seizure disorder, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted his TDIU application.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as he has not had any seizures in over two years.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left hip disorders, as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine strain with bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.
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