The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the knees, cervical spine, elbows, and hands, along with his hiatal hernia, contributed to his death due to pneumonia and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected arthritis significantly decreased his mobility, making him more susceptible to respiratory infections like pneumonia.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the knees, Cervical spine arthritis, Elbows arthritis, Hands arthritis, Hiatal hernia, Tonsillectomy, Hemorrhoids, Left inguinal hernia, Herpes zoster
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1107935
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 1107935.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and dysphagia, finding that there was no documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrence.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.
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