Denied

The Veteran's death was ruled a suicide, but the Board found that he was mentally unsound at the time of his death. The appellant contends for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and lung problems due to asbestos exposure, but these claims were denied as the act of suicide is considered evidence of mental unsoundness.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's act of suicide is considered evidence of mental unsoundness, thus not constituting willful misconduct. However, his death was ruled a suicide, and there is no service-connected disability to support a claim for cause of death benefits.

Claimed conditions: gunshot wound to the heart, nervous condition with depression
How they argued it: Not specified
Exposure basis: None
Rating assigned: None in this decision
Decision date: February 18, 2010
Citation: 1006002

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 1006002.

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Granted
The VA granted the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 4, 1999. The decision found that there was no evidence of an earlier claim and that the veteran had not been rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

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