The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial and increased ratings for fainting spells or vasovagal episodes of syncope, finding that there was no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis of the tenth cranial nerve as required for a compensable rating prior to November 25, 2019, and no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the tenth cranial nerve as required for a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning November 25, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support a compensable or increased rating based on the Veteran's service-connected fainting spells or vasovagal episodes of syncope due to lack of moderate or severe incomplete paralysis of the tenth cranial nerve as required by the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- fainting spells, vasovagal episodes of syncope
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20052254
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 20052254.
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.
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to predecisional duty to assist errors, including scheduling VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell trait and fainting spells as secondary to sickle cell trait due to a lack of objective medical evidence showing any disability or symptoms related to these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained prior to the September 2023 rating decision on appeal are inadequate and remands the claims for a new VA medical opinion.
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