The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. His DIC claim is also denied as the criteria for entitlement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence shows that none of the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his fatal cardiopulmonary arrest.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity, below the knee amputation, Incomplete paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle of the right leg, Hepatitis, Calculus of the right ureter, Scars of the left lower extremity, buttocks and right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2003
- Citation
- 0327935
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 0327935.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his alcohol-related causes of death were etiologically linked to a service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied an initial compensable rating for right foot hammer toes, while remanding the claim for service connection for hepatitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis and its relationship to service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
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