The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease with aspiration pneumonia, was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected condition (post-operative nucleus pulposus L5-S1, intervertebral disc disease). The evidence did not support a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no connection between the veteran's service-connected back problem and the development of hypertension, COPD, or the need for an aortic valve replacement. The appellant’s private physician's opinion was not as probative due to lack of basis for his assertion that the veteran could not exercise.
- Claimed conditions
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease, Aspiration pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0817097
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 0817097.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Granted
The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals, hypothyroidism, and arteriosclerotic heart disease have been granted service connection. The Veteran is rated at a 40% for his bladder cancer residuals.
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