The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by heart failure, which is a presumptively service-connected condition for former POWs. The claim is granted.
The deciding factor: Heart failure in the context of the veteran's status as a former prisoner of war (POW) is presumed to be related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Failure
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0916108
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 0916108.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by his conditions (Ventricular Fibrillation, Cardiac Arrest, and Heart Failure), which the Board finds may have been exacerbated or worsened due to VA treatment. The Board is remanding the case for a new medical opinion to determine if VA negligence contributed to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal of a higher rating for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for heart disability due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection claim for congestive heart failure is denied as the condition is not related to toxic exposures during active service or secondary to a service-connected disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions or toxic exposures.,The Board found that the cause of death (pulmonary fibrosis, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation) is less likely than not related to active duty service.
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.