The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claimant is also ineligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions were divided, with some suggesting the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death while others found multiple risk factors more likely responsible. The claimant was unable to meet the basic eligibility criteria under VA law for Dependents' Educational Assistance due to lack of a total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected condition at the time of her husband's death.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 5, 2002
- Citation
- 0209133
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 0209133.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for dermatochalasis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis. The claims for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right shoulder tendinopathy, diabetes, and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence status-post prostatectomy were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for panic disorder, but remanded the claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and diabetes.
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