The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The appellant is not entitled to recognition as the 'helpless child' of the Veteran due to lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence or competent opinion linking the cause of death (stab wound) to service. The Veteran's fatal injury occurred outside of his active duty period and there is no indication that any disability was incurred in service.,The appellant has not provided sufficient evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2010
- Citation
- 1002371
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1002371.
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).
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- Whole decision: Granted
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