The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder did not play a role in his death, nor was it causally related to any of the conditions that led to his death. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.
The deciding factor: The veteran's major depressive disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, nor was it causally related to any of the conditions that led to his death (heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and peptic ulcer disease).
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent major depressive disorder, Acute cardiac arrhythmia, Coronary artery disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, History of aortic valve replacement, Peptic ulcer disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2005
- Citation
- 0532235
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 0532235.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, effective October 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and his symptoms did not improve.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, effective October 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and his symptoms did not improve.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
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