The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident, claimed as a stroke, is not service-connected due to lack of direct evidence and the Board found no aggravation by his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions did not adequately discuss whether the Veteran’s service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease aggravated his stroke. The Board also noted that hypertension was not considered as a secondary condition for which service connection could be granted due to lack of evidence and claim filing.
- Claimed conditions
- Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20060635
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 20060635.
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 back condition and stroke were granted service connection, with the back condition receiving a 40% rating effective January 4, 2024. The Veteran's stroke received a 100% rating effective April 15, 2024, and a 10% rating effective November 1, 2024. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was also granted from April 15, 2024 to October 31, 2024.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was caused by chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure, but none of the listed conditions are service-connected.,The Appellant seeks burial benefits for cremation expenses, but no specific argument has been provided.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for higher SMC rates was denied as he did not meet the criteria for additional disabilities that would warrant a higher level of SMC.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have evidence of these conditions in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure.
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