The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities being rated as totally disabling but not receiving compensation at the time of death.
The deciding factor: The veteran had a combined schedular evaluation of 40% for arteriosclerotic heart disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The appellant's claim was denied because he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as his service-connected disabilities were rated totally disabling but not receiving compensation at the time of death.
- Claimed conditions
- artherosclerotic heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0329068
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 0329068.
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 service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 13, 2024 for a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and chronic sore throat, dismissed the issue of a sinus condition, and remanded claims for asthma, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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