The Board finds that the service-connected shrapnel wound residuals contributed substantially to the cause of death, and grants the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The deciding factor: The independent medical expert concluded that the veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound residuals led to a level of physical inactivity that materially contributed to the development of his coronary artery disease, despite other risk factors.

Claimed conditions

Acquired absence of the right foot, Residuals of a shell fragment wound, left leg with involvement of Muscle Group XIV, Residuals of a fracture of the left femur with malunion, residuals of a shell fragment wound, Osteomyelitis of the left femur, Residuals of shell fragment wounds of both buttocks, Residuals of a contusion of the left peroneal nerve, Scars of the back and right thigh, residuals of a shell fragment wound

How they argued it

Aggravation of a pre-existing condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

July 7, 2004

Citation

0418067

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 0418067.