The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The appellant has established entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 based on the veteran's total disability rating due to his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: Service connection for cause of death was granted as the veteran's cardiovascular problems were found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, leading to arteriosclerotic disease and subsequent death.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder, squamous cell carcinoma of the face, neck, nose and right ear, chronic bronchitis due to mustard gas exposure, post-operative squamous cell carcinomas of the forearms and left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0525217
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 0525217.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder, and urinary frequency as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided on September 2, 2020 was denied under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 and 38 U.S.C. § 1728 due to lack of evidence in the file. The Board finds that remand is warranted for correction of errors in notice.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is not supported by adequate reasoning and must be remanded to allow for a thorough review, including obtaining medical opinions on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria were granted, effective September 22, 2009.
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