The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death from hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The deciding factor: There was no scientifically confirmed evidence showing a causal relationship between PTSD and heart disease, and other factors such as smoking and hypercholesterolemia were more likely contributors to the veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Shell fragment scar on the right upper back with significant loss of underlying tissue, Seizure disorder, Shell fragment wound of the right chest, Tinnitus, Residuals of shrapnel in the left elbow, Shell fragment scar on the left upper back with significant loss of underlying tissue, Shell fragment wound of the left neck, Residuals of a pleural cavity injury with pneumothorax, Shell fragment wound of the scalp, Shell fragment wound of the upper right arm and right shoulder, Scar of the gluteal region, Hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2005
- Citation
- 0530907
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 0530907.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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