The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and concluded that his cardiovascular disease was more likely due to his smoking history and family history.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease was more likely due to his long-term cigarette smoking and familial history of heart conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, pyelonephritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2002
- Citation
- 0212919
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 0212919.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented with respect to the Veteran's cause of death claim, necessitating a remand for further review.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking any of the immediate or contributing causes of his death to his period of active duty service. The Board also found that the PACT Act did not apply in this case as the Veteran served prior to the period when herbicide agents were presumed used.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disorder, including chronic urinary tract infection (UTI), pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, and medullary sponge kidney (MSK). The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a kidney disorder, including chronic UTI, pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, and MSK, due to further development needed.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.