The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied both the claim for service connection for cause of death and the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence linking the aortic aneurysm, cardiac tamponade, cirrhosis, or splenomegaly to service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- dissecting aortic aneurysm, cardiac tamponade, cirrhosis, splenomegaly
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2006
- Citation
- 0632153
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 0632153.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, for purposes of entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), as further development is necessary.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for additional development, including generating a TERA memorandum and obtaining an advisory medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraines, alopecia, and splenomegaly but denied service connection for a cardiac disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a liver condition to correct an error by the AOJ and ensure that all necessary medical opinions are obtained.
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