The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his alcoholism and ultimately led to his death. His claim for increased evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder is granted. There is no evidence supporting the veteran's claim for additional disability compensation or Chapter 35 benefits.
The deciding factor: The cause of death was coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The veteran's alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder were interrelated, with alcoholism being a result of his PTSD symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alcoholism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0005441
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 0005441.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options, and the claim for alcoholism was denied as a matter of law.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 28, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from October 28, 2014, to September 11, 2019, for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with eating disorder and PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD beginning March 16, 2010 and denied a motion for revision of an August 2007 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board also granted service connection for alcoholism, major depressive disorder, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, sleep apnea, and increased ratings for PTSD.
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