The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left leg peroneal nerve injury did not cause or contribute to his death. The primary cause of death was cardio-pulmonary arrest due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage, with cervical spondylitic myelopathy as a contributory cause. The appellant's claim that falls caused by her husband's foot drop contributed to the cervical spine disability is not supported by medical records.
The deciding factor: The veteran's cervical spine disability developed prior to his fall in January 2001, and was responsible for his progressive weakness and instability, which led to falls. The service-connected left leg peroneal nerve injury did not cause or contribute to the veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- cardio-pulmonary arrest, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cervical spondylitic myelopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2003
- Citation
- 0328687
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 0328687.
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