The Veteran's additional disability, including atherosclerotic disease and carotid artery stenosis, is not considered to be caused by VA care. The progression of these conditions was attributed to uncontrolled diabetes and ongoing tobacco use.
The deciding factor: VA medical personnel did not cause or worsen the Veteran's additional disabilities as they were due to his own uncontrolled diabetes and tobacco use.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral artery disease, Atherosclerotic disease, Carotid artery stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22071410
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 22071410.
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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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of January 9, 2023 for a 70% evaluation for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and for individual unemployability.
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The Board has denied service connection for peripheral artery disease and atherosclerosis, bilateral above-the-knee amputations, and right arm disability status-post two strokes. The claim of eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment was dismissed due to the absence of an initial determination by VHA.
- Whole decision: Denied
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed, and the claims for a compensable rating for the lower back scar, service connection for COPD, and peripheral artery disease were denied.
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