The Veteran's current neurological disability, diagnosed as vasovagal syncope and claimed as multiple system atrophy (MSA), is denied because the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to lack of exposure to ionizing radiation or other in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during his active military service, nor does it provide sufficient medical opinion linking the current neurological disability to service.
- Claimed conditions
- vasovagal syncope, multiple system atrophy (MSA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20052226
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 20052226.
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: Partly granted
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of vasovagal syncope due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's vasovagal syncope is presumed to have existed prior to service, and the Board must now determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 26, 1984, for the award of service connection for vasovagal syncope based on new and relevant service treatment records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for multiple system atrophy (MSA) for substitution purposes, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and MSA did not have its onset during or within a year after service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, and vasovagal syncope to correct duty to assist errors.
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