The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory insufficiency and advanced dementia. The appellant contends that his service-connected PTSD aggravated these conditions, contributing to his death.
The deciding factor: The medical nexus opinion is needed to determine whether the service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death from respiratory insufficiency and advanced dementia.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, posttraumatic arthritis of the left knee, left knee lateral meniscus removal and repair of the posterior cruciate ligament, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the right knee associated with the left knee lateral meniscus removal and repair of the posterior cruciate ligament, degenerative arthritis of the fifth PIP joint, traumatic fracture of the right hip associated with post traumatic arthritis of the left knee, mild varicose veins, right inguinal hernia, postoperative appendectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 28, 2010
- Citation
- 1028169
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 1028169.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a maximum disability rating of 100 percent effective December 12, 2022. The ratings for migraines and IBS with GERD were restored from noncompensable to their previous levels.
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