The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both claims for service connection and a rating increase.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his cause of death (renal failure due to diabetes mellitus).
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of both ankles, chronic renal failure due to diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0034064
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 0034064.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period from December 26, 2007, to January 4, 2010. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted on an extraschedular basis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues regarding service connection for Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD have not yet been adjudicated.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various joint disabilities, including arthritis of the hands, feet, legs, and shoulders, were granted. The conditions are considered to be due to natural progression or injury during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination.
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