The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder contributed to his fatal cardiomyopathy, reducing his ability to rehabilitate and medicate which caused a more rapid deterioration of his physical health and condition. The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not the only contributing cause of his death but did contribute.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder contributed to his fatal cardiomyopathy by reducing his ability to rehabilitate and medicate, which caused a more rapid deterioration of his physical health and condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiomyopathy, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Shell Fragment Wound (SFW) scar of the left ankle, SFW, right leg, Group XI, scar, Deviated nasal septum, traumatic, Scalp scar, Traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, residual of SFW
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2010
- Citation
- 1017321
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 1017321.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active-duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective December 14, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD, finding that these conditions had onset during his military service.
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