The Board finds that the Veteran's delusional disorder, which was not service-connected at the time of his death, did not substantially contribute to his cause of death (hypothermia). The opinion from Dr. Spangher supports a finding that the delusional disorder began during or shortly after service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's delusional disorder began during his service, with the onset occurring in middle or late adult life as per DSM-IV criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypothermia, Delusional Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1138522
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 1138522.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted as of April 16, 2020 due to his service-connected delusional disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's achievement of a vocational goal as a software developer is not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected delusional disorder and other disabilities, leading to a denial of his claim.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, but denied a higher initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and Delusional Disorder was granted with an effective date of September 12, 2020. The decision acknowledges new evidence submitted after the January 2017 Board decision.
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