The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by anoxic encephalopathy due to a food bolus obstruction, which was materially contributed to by his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and an eating disorder incurred during his time as a prisoner of war. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease combined with his service-connected duodenal ulcer, which was exacerbated by his PTSD-related eating disorder, to contribute substantially to his choking and subsequent death.
- Claimed conditions
- Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Mild Cardiomegaly, Duodenal Ulcer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 11, 2001
- Citation
- 0110551
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 0110551.
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.
- Granted
Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran's initial ratings for atrial fibrillation, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuralgia, and left upper extremity neuralgia are all granted at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure with Atrial Fibrillation with AICD and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection, and that the conditions were not caused or aggravated by service-connected OSA.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC in excess of SMC(n) based on his service-connected conditions and additional disabilities, as well as his need for aid and attendance. The appeal was dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and the appeal for an increased rating of their service-connected cardiac condition is dismissed. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on their service-connected PTSD.
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