The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which is not service-connected. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on VA hospital care and treatment is also denied.
The deciding factor: The cause of the veteran's death (acute anterior and inferior myocardial infarctions due to or as a consequence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease) was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did it result from a service-connected disability. The appellant failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish that her husband's Reiter's syndrome, arthritis, and medication use contributed substantially or materially to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, Acute anterior and inferior myocardial infarctions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0324766
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 0324766.
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: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to heart disorders, with significant contributing causes including diabetes and angioplasty. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially to his heart conditions, leading to a grant of service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Da Nang, Vietnam. The VA will need to verify this information and then obtain a medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the exposure could have resulted in the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for additional medical records, particularly from non-VA facilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during his active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.
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