The veteran's service-connected varicose veins are found to have caused a pulmonary embolism that contributed to his death.
The deciding factor: The VHA physician opined that the veteran's service-connected varicose veins did contribute substantially or materially to his death due to causing a pulmonary embolism.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory failure, Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, Connective tissue disease
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2001
- Citation
- 0126337
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 0126337.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been presented to readjudicate the previously denied claim of service connection for connective tissue disease. The PACT Act requires a VA examination or medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed connective tissue disease and his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any principal or contributory cause of his death to his service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis as secondary to in-service exposure to toxins from explosives and mortars, and for bladder cancer as secondary to in-service exposure to forever chemicals.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 12, 2019, for the grant of service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis based on a liberalizing law.
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