The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to his nicotine dependence, which is service-connected. However, the VA cannot grant DIC benefits based on tobacco use during service due to a new law enacted after June 9, 1998.
The deciding factor: DIC benefits are barred for causes of death attributable to tobacco products used by the veteran during service, but secondary service connection can still be established if the cause is not directly related to tobacco use.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine Dependence, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Claudication of Lower Extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 11, 2009
- Citation
- 0917513
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 0917513.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and SMC for housebound status are granted based on service-connected PTSD from October 12, 2023, and CAD from October 1, 2022. The appeals were granted due to the severity of these conditions preventing the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity and for the consideration of any outstanding private medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating based on depressive disorder is granted from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted prior to March 26, 2019.
- Granted
The rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was restored to 100 percent effective December 1, 2025.,The rating for the Veteran's service-connected specified stressor related disorder (psychiatric disability) was restored to 70 percent effective December 1, 2025.
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