The VA denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that his service-connected psychosis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The primary causes were end stage congestive cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the service-connected psychosis did not contribute substantially or materially to the veteran's death due to its end-stage nature and other significant conditions contributing to death.
- Claimed conditions
- psychosis, end stage congestive cardiomyopathy due to or as a consequence of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 7, 2003
- Citation
- 0330942
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 0330942.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
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- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus; granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and skin cancer; and restored the 10 percent rating for hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea to obtain a TERA opinion due to the Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.
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