The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition that caused the veteran's death due to arteriosclerosis and related conditions. The VA examiner concluded it was unlikely that the fatal illness was attributable to the veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: A VA examiner opined that the veteran's fatal arteriosclerosis was not likely related to his military service based on a review of the medical records, which did not show any indication of heart disease during his service.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiac arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0303451
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 0303451.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder, while denying increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, tension headaches, and mitral valve prolapse.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension as additional evidence has been submitted that requires further development of the record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing whether in-service toxic exposures led to hypertension and ultimately caused his death.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for dyspnea of unknown etiology and service connection for cardiac arrhythmia, dermatosis-left hand, cervicothoracic pain, radicular pain and paresthesia of upper extremities, and obstructive sleep apnea.
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