The veteran died in July 1987 due to complications of hepatomegaly and schistosomiasis. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for accrued benefits was also denied because the appellant did not file her claim within one year of the veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not show any in-service onset or link between the veteran's terminal hepatomegaly and schistosomiasis, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appellant's late filing for accrued benefits did not meet the legal criteria as she filed more than one year after her husband's death.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatomegaly, schistosomiasis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2004
- Citation
- 0434064
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0434064.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection for non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatomegaly was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal includes multiple conditions, and the Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions. The issues on appeal have been remanded for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically related to his service-connected conditions and military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address issues related to the Veteran's hepatitis residuals, including obtaining private treatment records and VA examiner CVs. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a new VA examination with a hepatologist.
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