The veteran's death was caused by malignant melanoma, which is service-connected. The appellant's claim for dependents' educational assistance and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is granted as the cause of death qualifies for dependency and indemnity compensation.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran died from malignant melanoma, which was service-connected based on evidence provided by the appellant and a medical expert. As this established the cause of death, both dependents' educational assistance and DIC benefits were granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Malignant melanoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2006
- Citation
- 0625441
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 0625441.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, lung cancer, kidney disability, hypertension, and TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, malignant melanoma, was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the appellant's contention that the cause of the Veteran’s death, malignant melanoma, was related to sun exposure during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma due to exposure to ionizing radiation is remanded. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims.
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