The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, and the claim is well grounded. The appellant's husband died from hepatitis-related complications in 1990, but there is no clear evidence linking his death to military service or Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new medical evidence supports a possible link between the veteran's pre-existing peptic ulcer disease and his later death from hepatitis-related complications.
- Claimed conditions
- Cause of death: Hepatorenal syndrome secondary to alcohol abuse and intravenous drug abuse, Pre-existing condition: Peptic ulcer disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 26, 2000
- Citation
- 0033595
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0033595.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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