The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions and concluded that there is no evidence of negligence in VA treatment. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death was denied.
The deciding factor: There is no substantial or material contribution to the cause of death from the service-connected disabilities, and there is insufficient evidence of negligence in VA care leading to the veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- spinal disc condition, bilateral bronchopneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2007
- Citation
- 0734711
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 0734711.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, bilateral bronchopneumonia with complicating factors including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and hypertensive renal disease, is considered due to service-connected causes. As the Veteran served in Vietnam, his exposure to herbicides is presumed, allowing for presumptive service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service did not qualify for death pension benefits as he did not serve during a period of war, and the Board denied his claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for hospitalization and treatment at Oak Hill Hospital were approved as the services were rendered to treat a service-connected disability in an emergency situation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.