The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by improper and inadequate medical care during his February 1995 VA hospitalization, resulting in a grant of dependency and indemnity compensation.
The deciding factor: The VHA medical opinion concluded that although Pseudomonas was contracted prior to the February 1995 VA hospitalization, assuming the veteran was treated with Cefotetan and Erythromycin on February 22nd, this would have been inadequate antibiotic therapy since a patient with severe pneumonia, urinary tract infection, numerous hospitalizations, and antibiotic therapies would require broader antibiotic coverage. By the time Cefotetan was discontinued and replaced by an adequate antibiotic Ceftazidime, he was in septic shock and death could not have been averted.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic renal insufficiency, Urinary tract infections, Poorly-controlled hypertension, Peripheral vascular disease, Congestive heart failure, Recurrent pneumonia, Chronic pancreatitis, Left below-the-knee amputation, Right-sided cerebrovascular accident with left-sided paresis and aphasia, Myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2002
- Citation
- 0202019
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 0202019.
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 Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his myocardial infarction and COPD to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- 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 ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, status post stent placement, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.
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