The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is not alcohol-related. The Board found that his use of pain medication for service-connected disabilities contributed to his liver failure and granted service connection for the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence raised reasonable doubt regarding whether the Veteran's back medications aided or lent assistance to the production of death.
- Claimed conditions
- cirrhosis of the liver (non alcohol related), residuals of an injury to the lumbosacral spine, residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of an injury to the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2011
- Citation
- 1137715
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 1137715.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including GERD, neck injury, right knee injury, left knee injury, shrapnel wound to the lower left leg, right ankle injury, left ankle injury, RLE neuropathy, and lower back injury.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury due to new and material evidence received since the May 1974 rating decision. The claim is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 30, 2020. The case is remanded for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's right knee injury during basic training is at least as likely as not related to service.
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