The Board finds that the Veteran's suicide was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection for the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's brain neoplasm did not result from service and that his decision to end his life was intentional, not due to any mental health issue or psychosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Intraoral gunshot wound, Brain neoplasm
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2012
- Citation
- 1217972
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 1217972.
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 death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not have any permanent and total service-connected disabilities at the time of his death. Therefore, DEA benefits are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a brain neoplasm, which is related to his service and exposure to environmental hazards in Saudi Arabia. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, brain neoplasm, was incurred in service or related to his service.
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