The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The VA physician assistant concluded that the Veteran's diet-controlled diabetes was not a contributing cause to his death as it occurred secondary to acute circulatory failure resulting from cardiopulmonary arrest.
- Claimed conditions
- lactic acidosis, elevated ammonia level, metabolic acidosis, severe anemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2009
- Citation
- 0944260
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 0944260.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for cause of death and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 USC 1151.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and potential toxic exposure. The Veteran's cause of death is metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure, septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin. The VA will need to obtain additional service personnel records and provide a TERA opinion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diagnosed myelofibrosis with severe anemia was more likely caused by his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death.
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.