The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and other conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death due to pre-existing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a gunshot wound to the chest with residual scars, pleural cavity injuries and fracture of the seventh left rib, status post gunshot wound to the left anterior and posterior thorax (muscle group II), residues of malaria, right hydrocele
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2011
- Citation
- 1102085
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 1102085.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 8, 2009. The evidence did not show that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right hydrocele status post testicle infection and surgery, as well as the specific scar on his right testicle, has been granted. The decision also includes a grant of service connection for a 1 cm x 1 cm right testicle scar.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right hydrocele has been shown to cause recurrent pain, but not atrophy or significant functional impairment. As such, the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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