The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right lower extremity neurological impairment and hearing loss, finding that the additional disabilities were not caused by VA care or negligence. The claim for hearing loss was reopened based on new evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions found no fault in the VA treatment and concluded that the right foot drop and neurological impairment were not related to service-connected atrial fibrillation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity Neurological Impairment, Foot Drop
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142638
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 18142638.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with associated neurological impairment in the right lower extremity originated during his most recent period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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.