The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, systolic and ventricular fibrillation, and acute myocardial infraction. The appellant argued that restrictive pulmonary disease contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.
The deciding factor: Dr. B.B.'s opinions indicated that the Veteran's multiple medical problems, including lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, restrictive obstructive lung disease, and acute myocardial infarction, eventually caused his death and were in his opinion service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- Systolic and ventricular fibrillation, Acute myocardial infraction, Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, Restrictive pulmonary disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2009
- Citation
- 0930047
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 0930047.
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's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to heart disorders, with significant contributing causes including diabetes and angioplasty. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially to his heart conditions, leading to a grant of service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Da Nang, Vietnam. The VA will need to verify this information and then obtain a medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the exposure could have resulted in the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death from acute myocardial infraction is not related to his military service and therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for additional medical records, particularly from non-VA facilities.
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