The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically hepatitis C infection acquired from blood transfusions during surgeries for his service-connected conditions. As a result, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service connected.
The deciding factor: The veteran's exposure to hepatitis C, which he contracted as a result of receiving blood transfusions during surgeries related to his service-connected disabilities, was found to be the primary cause of his hepatocellular carcinoma and subsequent death.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatocellular carcinoma, hemochromatosis or hemosiderosis, type II diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, peripheral vascular disease, thrombocytopenia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0324720
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 0324720.
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 remands the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus to address a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA not requesting private treatment records.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral macular hemorrhage, resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claims for other disabilities were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma as the evidence did not support a link to in-service exposure or injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for blood clots to afford the Veteran a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, as he has a history of lower extremity blood clots and participated in toxic exposure risk activities during service.
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