The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the cause of his death (embolic stroke) did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The claim for DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's embolic stroke was not caused by any service-connected condition and there is no evidence that the cause of death was related to military service or VA care.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0948727
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 0948727.
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 due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with prior remand directives. The appellant seeks service connection for a low back disability, which includes degenerative disk disease (DDD).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current DDD and an in-service injury. The Board concluded that the Veteran’s job as a railroad worker after service was more likely responsible for his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's DDD was rated at 10 percent from July 29, 2016 to June 28, 2018. The appeal is denied as the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (sciatic) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity (sciatic) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (femoral) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity (femoral) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.
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