The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stroke and its associated neurovascular complications, including right side numbness, slurred speech, and two holes in heart (PFO), as secondary to migraine headaches. The Board found that the pre-existing PFO did not undergo any chronic or permanent increase in severity during service beyond the natural progress of the condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pre-existing patent foramen ovale (PFO) was a congenital defect and did not undergo any chronic or permanent increase in severity during service, thus failing to establish aggravation. The Board also noted that the Veteran is not in receipt of service connection for migraine headaches, which would be required for secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Stroke, Mitral Valve Prolapse with Mitral Regurgitation, Right Side Numbness, Slurred Speech
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1716017
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1716017.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that remand is required for several issues, including service connection for stroke and memory loss, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposures, obtain all relevant treatment records, and provide a medical nexus opinion regarding the nature of his disabilities.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his ability to perform activities of daily living independently and manage his health without assistance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed based on exposure under the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical providers who treated the Veteran prescribed lisinopril and HCTZ despite his allergy, and it is unclear if he was informed of all risks. The Board also needs to determine if any of these medications caused a stroke or if a stroke was foreseeable given his allergy.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.