The Board found that the medications taken for the Veteran's service-connected back disability did not contribute to his death, and there was no evidence linking the causes of death (sepsis, multiorgan failure, abdominal fistula and abscess) to a stomach disability or the medications.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions concluded that the medications for the Veteran's back disability did not lead to the reasons for surgeries related to his death, and there was no evidence linking the causes of death to a stomach disability or the medications.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Abdominal disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2009
- Citation
- 0909803
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding a positive nexus to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.
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