The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his nicotine dependence in service caused or contributed to his fatal cardiovascular disease.
The deciding factor: The veteran developed nicotine dependence during service which led to his fatal cardiovascular disease.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiovascular disease, nicotine dependence
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2004
- Citation
- 0415900
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 0415900.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 claim for a heart condition to afford the Veteran an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his heart condition, considering potential toxic exposure during service in Southwest Asia.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, while denying service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and facial scars. The claim for TDIU was also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's cause of death, cardiovascular disease, was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability and medications taken for such disabilities.
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