The veteran's death was caused by cardio-respiratory arrest due to coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did they contribute substantially or materially to the cause of his death. Additionally, the appellant is not eligible for Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits as her husband's disability was not rated 100% disabling at the time of his death.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence linking the veteran's service-connected hearing loss to the causes of his death, nor did any other service-connected condition contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death. The appellant is also not eligible for Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits as her husband's disability was not rated 100% disabling at the time of his death.
- Claimed conditions
- cardio-respiratory arrest, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2007
- Citation
- 0728408
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 0728408.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
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