The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke, including cognitive impairment, finding that there is no clear neurobehavioral mechanism to support the claimed clinically impaired memory loss and concluding that the Veteran's cognitive problems are more likely related to emotional factors consistent with PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no conflicting evidence as to the etiology of the Veteran’s cognitive deficit symptoms between the March 2009 opinion, the neuropsychological findings, and the July 2019 opinion. The October 2019 examiner concluded that the findings in their totality reveal that the Veteran's cognitive problems are attributed to emotional factors consistent with PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of heat stroke, cognitive impairment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20072927
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 998 · Granted: 40% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20072927.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all relevant VA treatment records prior to issuing the July 2021 rating decision, which may have affected the outcome of the case. The claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke is being remanded to allow for a thorough review and consideration of all available evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for panic disorder with MDD is granted, effective August 12, 2014. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU and SMC are also granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal concerning the issues of cervical spondylosis, high blood pressure, thoracolumbar spine disability (low back pain), unspecified right leg condition, anxiety (depression/insomnia), hypothyroidism, residuals of heat stroke, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder condition is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his adjustment disorder and cognitive impairment were dismissed due to untimely Notice of Disagreement filings.
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