The Board found that the veteran's nicotine dependence and smoking tobacco use during service caused his atherosclerotic heart disease, which led to his acute myocardial infarction resulting in his death. As such, he was granted service connection for the cause of his death.
The deciding factor: Nicotine dependence developed during service and continued post-service, leading to lifelong smoking habits that contributed to the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) which caused his acute myocardial infarction resulting in his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Atherosclerotic Heart Disease (ASHD), Diabetes Mellitus
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0210056
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 0210056.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Veteran's initial PCAFC application was granted in December 2022, effective from December 21, 2022. The Board found that the criteria for eligibility were met since his initial application in December 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted effective July 18, 2020. The case involves the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including PTSD, OSA, diabetes, cataracts, neuropathy, and other conditions.
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