The January 1991 VA surgical procedures which resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities due to peripheral neuropathy are not causally related to the veteran's death in October 1995 due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and tobacco abuse as conditions contributing to death.
The deciding factor: The VA surgical procedures did not result in additional disability that caused or hastened the veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Tobacco abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0205743
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0205743.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of sufficient evidence addressing all contentions.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and an effective date of August 13, 2019, for the grant of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, service connection for gallbladder disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders, and remanded claims for peripheral neuropathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and residuals of liver disease.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carotid disease, chronic kidney disease, COPD, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are dismissed as moot.
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