The veteran's nicotine dependence, which began in service and continued post-service, was found to be the immediate or underlying cause of his death. Service connection for this condition is granted.
The deciding factor: Nicotine dependence developed during military service and persisted after discharge, contributing substantially to the veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine dependence, Cerebrovascular accident
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2003
- Citation
- 0303209
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 127 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0303209.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 remands the claims for service connection for adrenal gland tumor, hypertension, enlarged node of the breast, congestive heart failure, kidney disability, pulmonary edema, cerebrovascular accident, Conn's disease, and paralysis of left lower extremity to obtain a VA examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and nicotine dependence, but granted ratings for left knee limitations in flexion, extension, and patellar instability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident, as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated with an addendum opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions were denied in the April 2020 rating decision. The Board is denying these claims based on finality of the decision and lack of new evidence or arguments.
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.