The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected back disability and nasal fracture did not cause or contribute to his death, which was likely due to chronic drug abuse.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions concluded that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were unlikely to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from drug abuse.
- Claimed conditions
- Right L-5/S-1 herniated nucleus pulposus with sciatica of both lower extremities, Status post septorhinoplasty, residuals of nasal fracture
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2011
- Citation
- 1107540
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 1107540.
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).
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