The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.
The deciding factor: The VA reviewer determined that PTSD did not contribute to the cause of death due to COPD.
- Claimed conditions
- Advanced Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 4, 2008
- Citation
- 0826069
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 0826069.
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: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to his service-connected disability, but denied for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from January 22, 2008 to July 23, 2012 due to his service-connected Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for another VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is being reviewed again.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the claim.
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