The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not show that any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- atherosclerosis, dementia with depression secondary to post traumatic encephalopathy, rosacea with rhinophyma, loss of skull, moderately disfiguring forehead scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2005
- Citation
- 0528769
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 0528769.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to any disease or injury in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to hypertension due to unclear herbicide exposure findings. The AOJ is required to properly develop toxic exposures under 38 U.S.C. § 1168.
- Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection have not been decided.
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