The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from a small bowel infarction. The Board finds that the appellant's contention is without merit.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence demonstrating a relationship between the disabilities causing the Veteran's death and his service, including his service-connected fecal or urinary incontinence disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression, Neurogenic Bladder with Urinary Incontinence, Residuals of L4-5 Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis, Pseudo-meningocele with Unsuccessful Surgical Repair Times Two, Fecal Incontinence, Fascia Lata Graft Donor Site of the Right Thigh, Impotence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1001271
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 1001271.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Panic Disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety disorder are considered part of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which already qualifies him for SMC(l). Therefore, he is not eligible for a higher rate of SMC.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.
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