The Veteran's laryngeal and phrenic nerve injury resulting from the February 2010 carotid subclavian bypass surgery is not considered to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions indicate that the left carotid subclavian bypass was medically necessary and the Veteran did benefit from it. The injury to the laryngeal and phrenic nerves were known complications of the procedure and not indicative of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.
- Claimed conditions
- laryngeal and phrenic nerve injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2018
- Citation
- 1819157
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 1819157.
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).
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