The Board found that the Veteran's learning disorder, including autism and dyslexia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence clearly showed that his preexisting autism disorder existed prior to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by his service due to clear evidence of intellectual difficulties before entering service.
- Claimed conditions
- Autism disorder, Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1720955
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1720955.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for attention deficit disorder and joint pain due to his death during the appeal process.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's child, C.H., became permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining age 18 due to psychological disabilities and requires adult supervision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, dyslexia, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to new evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and anxiety, is considered to have resulted from events that occurred during his active military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.
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