The Board denied the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, service connection for the cause of death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and entitlement to burial and plot or interment allowances based on the facts that the veteran did not have a disability that was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 years prior to his death, he was not a former prisoner of war, and he died more than 5 years after his separation from service. The Board also found that the body of the veteran is not being held by a state or political subdivision thereof.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran had a disability continuously rated totally disabling for at least 10 years prior to death, and he was not a former prisoner of war, nor did his death occur more than 5 years after separation from service. The body of the veteran is also not being held by a state or political subdivision thereof.
- Claimed conditions
- cystic tumor of the cervicothoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2006
- Citation
- 0612603
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 0612603.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.