The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to cause his death, which was due to congestive heart failure.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions linked the Veteran's cardiac disease to his service-connected disabilities, including cold injuries and muscle arm group injury.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of cold injury, left foot, residuals of cold injury, right foot, incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, gunshot wound to the left forearm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1126984
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 1126984.
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 decided that the Veteran's cold injury service-connected disabilities have not been evaluated by VA examination since 2015. More recent VA treatment records reflect changes in the severity of these disabilities, and updated VA examinations are needed.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's death was due to natural causes and not related to his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their contribution to his death. The appellant is seeking service connection for cause of death, but the Veteran was not service-connected for the causes that led to his death.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including residuals of cold injury and nerve disorders. The only issue remaining is the claim for bilateral hearing loss.
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.