The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected as they are related to his service-connected heart disease and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The January 2014 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's arterial insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities is due to atherosclerosis, independent from his service-connected conditions (coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and venous insufficiency).
- Claimed conditions
- Swelling, Pain, Weakness, Instability, Jerking movements of left lower extremity (excluding venous insufficiency and post-surgical neuropathy)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1812924
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 1812924.
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 eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is denied because he does not require personal care services due to an inability to perform ADLs or a need for supervision, protection, or instruction. The Board found that the evidence shows the Veteran is generally independent and able to complete his ADLs without hands-on assistance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for an adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the eligibility determination for PCAFC is not supported by sufficient evidence and requires further review, including a new medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right lower extremity disability and left upper extremity disability to better reflect the scope of the claims.
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