The Board has determined that the veteran's ankylosing spondylitis pre-existed his active service and was aggravated by it. The condition substantially contributed to the cause of death, which was respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence shows that the veteran's ankylosing spondylitis increased in severity during his active service and substantially contributed to his death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2001
- Citation
- 0124960
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 0124960.
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
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD, TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD with TBI.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum medical opinion addressing the severity of his condition throughout the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for ankylosing spondylitis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and right elbow chronic bursitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability, including SI joint dysfunction and mild arthritic changes in the thoracic spine, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset during service.
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