The Veteran's service-connected Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) has rendered him housebound and in need of aid and attendance, but the VA examiners did not differentiate between service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities alone.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners failed to differentiate between service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities when assessing whether the Veteran's housebound status and need for aid and attendance are due solely to his service-connected Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA).
- Claimed conditions
- Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23049123
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23049123.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder contributed to his death from a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA). The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for CVA and remanded the claims for increased initial ratings for speech changes and ED associated with CVA due to insufficient medical evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of October 4, 2020. His TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of that day.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential chemical or radiation exposure during his period of active duty.
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