The Board found that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to the veteran's cause of death, which was due to complications following mitral valve replacement surgery.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show a causal relationship between any of the service-connected conditions and the veteran's cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Cold Injury Residuals (Trench Feet) - Bilateral, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine, Scar Residual from Shrapnel Wound on Right Side of Abdomen, Scar Residuals from Shrapnel Wounds on Left Upper Arm, Right Hip, and Right Calf, Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2008
- Citation
- 0827353
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 0827353.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent level, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the denial for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed because the issue was already under review through Higher-Level Review.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.
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