The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that while the veteran had a service-connected condition (post-traumatic stress disorder), it did not contribute to or cause his death from coronary artery disease.
The deciding factor: Service-connected PTSD was found not to have contributed in any significant or material way to the veteran's death from coronary artery disease.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder, fracture of the index and little fingers of the right hand, fracture of the second metatarsal of the left foot, eczematous dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2004
- Citation
- 0400331
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 0400331.
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 Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted, as he requires regular assistance with dressing, keeping himself clean and presentable, and attending to his bodily needs due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder to provide her with another opportunity to attend a new VA mental health examination.
- Granted
The Board grants the appeal in full, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
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