The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, as his primary causes of death were an acute stroke and aspiration pneumonia.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence indicated that the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The main contributing factors were a cerebrovascular accident and aspiration pneumonia.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety disorder with schizoid features, Residuals of a fracture to the left foot and ankle, Bronchitis, Scars of both knees
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2012
- Citation
- 1218560
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 1218560.
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: Granted
The Veteran's initial disability rating for bronchitis with asthma is granted at a 60 percent level through December 26, 2023. The rating of 10 percent between December 27, 2023 and November 11, 2025 is denied. A higher rating since November 12, 2025 is also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 30, 2018, for the evaluation of bronchitis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran continuously pursued his claims and the AOJ erred in denying the claim based on incorrect appeal form submission.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
For the period prior to June 3, 2024, a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease L4-5 (lumbar disability) is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an evaluation more than 40 percent for a lumbar disability is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process and requires additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for various conditions, but further evidence is needed due to missing service records.
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