The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability, which more nearly approximated severe disablement in the year prior to his death, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. By resolving all doubts in favor of the appellant, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.
The deciding factor: The reviewing VA pulmonary medical specialist found that the residuals of the veteran's pyloroduodenal ulcer and gastric surgery residuals were likely not productive of an injury to his lung causing him to develop fatal acute and chronic pulmonary edema due to hyaline membrane proliferation, but service connection was granted based on equipoise in showing a material contributory role.
- Claimed conditions
- pulmonary edema, pyloroduodenal ulcer disease, gastric resection
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2006
- Citation
- 0627091
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 0627091.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea because competent evidence suggests a potential nexus between the Veteran's current sleep apnea diagnosis and an in-service event (dental surgery in April 1996 with subsequent hospitalization for pulmonary edema and respiratory failure). A VA examination is required to determine whether the sleep apnea began in service or is otherwise related to active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has not fully addressed the issues of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his preexisting scleroderma was aggravated by service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle damage, left knee; left foot drop; MRSA infection; CIDP; pulmonary edema; heart disability (to include congestive heart failure); renal failure; and compromised immune system are all granted. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the Board found no service connection due to exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to service.
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