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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0209133.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to his death.
- Denied
The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's high cholesterol, dementia, stroke, prostate cancer, cataracts, diabetes, hypertension, CHF, and myocardial infarction claims are denied due to lack of service connection evidence or insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.,The Veteran was exposed to toxins during his military service but there is no evidence linking these exposures to any of the claimed conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning diabetes and a low back disability has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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