The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied claims for service connection for aortic aneurysm, SP heart valve replacement and Marfan's syndrome. The appellant did not file a claim for accrued benefits within one year of her husband's death.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's cause of death was due to other conditions (hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus) rather than any service-connected disability, including aortic aneurysm or Marfan's syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Marfan's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2011
- Citation
- 1104649
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 1104649.
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: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, which included atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service at Fort McClellan. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the initial decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is incorrect and remands the case to allow for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from November 19, 2011, to March 7, 2013.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's significant conditions at the time of his death were related to his service, including any toxic exposure risk activities (TERA), and if so, whether they had a material influence on the acceleration of his death.
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.