Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the leading cause of disability in the United States. CVAs are a particular problem for the VA because of the large population of World War II and Korean War veterans who are now in the age range where CVAs are most frequent; in fiscal year 1997 the national VA system had 22,000 admissions for an acute CVA. The consequent motor deficits that veterans sustain result in very large costs to the VA and the Federal Government. The reduction of CVA-related disability thus represents a high VA and national health care priority.