The Veteran's death was not found to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The cause of death was attributed to staphylococcal bacteremia due to an infected PICC line, which is considered a natural progression and not reasonably foreseeable.
The deciding factor: The proximate cause of the Veteran's death was his underlying medical conditions rather than VA care, as the infection was likely a result of the natural course of his illness.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic heart failure, Dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease, Staphylococcal bacteremia, Acute and chronic renal failure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2011
- Citation
- 1142896
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 1142896.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hernia condition, right ankle and leg disabilities, sinusitis, cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, chronic heart disease, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The appeals were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to circulatory collapse. The Board denied service connection for atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease and psychiatric condition, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, which was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to or as a consequence of pneumonia on his certificate of death, is not related to any service-connected disability. The June 2012 VA medical opinion concluded that PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death.
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