The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence indicating the veteran acquired a chemical addiction to nicotine (i.e., nicotine dependence) as a result of his service in the military, or that use of tobacco products during service caused his terminal arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board determined there is no evidence to support the claim that nicotine dependence arose from service and contributed to the veteran's death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiac arrest due to or a consequence of arteriosclerotic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2005
- Citation
- 0532316
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 0532316.
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).
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