The Veteran's cause of death was bilateral pneumonia, due to (or as a consequence of) small bowel obstruction. The appellant argues that the Veteran's service-connected lung disability contributed to his death and that his service-connected mental health disability also contributed.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's service-connected lung disability did not materially contribute to or hasten his death, but there is no opinion on whether his service-connected mental health disability contributed to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound scar, posterior and anterior chest wall, with pleurisy, chronic, fibrous, diaphragmatic, right
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2011
- Citation
- 1127818
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 1127818.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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