The Board found that the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and esophageal disability contributed to his death from a massive pulmonary embolism. As such, service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: Competent medical evidence established a causal link between a service-connected condition (degenerative joint disease) and the veteran's prolonged debilitation, significantly contributing to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, reflux esophagitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2003
- Citation
- 0304402
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,177 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0304402.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's GERD, esophageal stricture, and reflux esophagitis are less likely related to service due to a negative VA opinion. However, the Veteran contends his condition is related to exposure to burn pits during Southwest Asia operations. The Board also notes there is conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol use disorder. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating for reflux esophagitis with mild chronic gastritis and bleeding ulcer was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for revision of the evaluation of hiatal hernia, with gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux esophagitis, and ineffective esophageal peristalsis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, diverticulosis and benign neoplasm rectosigmoid junction, GERD and reflux esophagitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability to cure errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist.
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