The veteran's death was caused by liver encephalopathy due to liver failure as a consequence of cirrhosis of the liver. The service-connected seizure disorder did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death. Service connection for the cause of death has been denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's liver disorder, including hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis of the liver, was first clinically manifested many years after service and is not related to disease or injury in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Seizure Disorder, Liver Encephalopathy, Hepatic Failure, Cirrhosis of the Liver
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- May 8, 2003
- Citation
- 0308717
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 0308717.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a higher rating for TBI, an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits, and remanded service connection for seizure disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a seizure disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a direct or secondary relationship to military service.
- Denied
The Board denied separate compensable ratings for a seizure disorder and migraine headaches associated with the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, myocarditis, and a seizure disorder due to insufficient medical evidence regarding toxic exposures during service.
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