The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to have aggravated his non-service connected heart condition, contributing to his death. Service connection for the cause of his death is granted.
The deciding factor: A VA Chief of Cardiology concluded that the Veteran's service-connected back disability contributed to and hastened his demise due to its taxing effect on his cardiovascular system.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary emboli, Severe coronary artery disease
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2010
- Citation
- 1038701
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 1038701.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death may be related to his service-connected bronchial asthma with emphysema, and a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Veteran died from severe coronary artery disease. The Appellant filed a claim for DIC benefits on May 4, 2015, which was granted with an effective date of May 4, 2014. There is no evidence prior to the Veteran's death that he intended to file a claim for service connection related to Agent Orange exposure.
- Granted
The Board found that the Veteran's deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and subsequent cerebrovascular accident were likely caused by taking Acitretin/Soriatane prescribed by VA. The decision grants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was not related to any incident of service, as T-cell lymphoma and pulmonary emboli were not shown to have manifested during service or for many years thereafter and were not otherwise shown to be related to service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.