The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and carcinoma of the prostate gland, was not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities. The VA medical opinions provided significant evidence against the appellant's claim.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions concluded that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially in bringing about his death.
- Claimed conditions
- arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carcinoma of the prostate gland
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2012
- Citation
- 1212445
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 1212445.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case to obtain missing medical records and a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. No one has requested substitution for the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date prior to March 16, 2021 for service connection of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and ratings for amputation of middle or lower thirds of the right leg and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The TDIU claim is also remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was due to severe occlusive coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant filed a claim for DIC benefits within one year of the Veteran's death and was found eligible as a Nehmer class member. However, her remarriage in 2014 rendered her ineligible for recognition as the surviving spouse from that date onwards.
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.