The Veteran's death was caused by hemorrhagic shock and a massive gastrointestinal bleed, both related to his alcoholism. The service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.
The deciding factor: The service-connected conditions (left eyebrow scar and left ear hearing loss) were not shown to have caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death from hemorrhagic shock and a massive gastrointestinal bleed due to alcoholism.
- Claimed conditions
- Hemorrhagic shock, Massive gastrointestinal bleed
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2012
- Citation
- 1228051
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 1228051.
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 cause of death was hemorrhagic shock with multiorgan failure and acute gastrointestinal bleed, which the Board found not related to his military service or exposure to toxic chemicals. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing whether his respiratory failure, septic shock, hemorrhagic shock, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and chronic osteomyelitis of the right leg were related to in-service toxic exposure or an in-service right leg injury.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct errors in the duty to assist, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a medical opinion considering the PACT Act's requirements for toxic exposure risk activities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for compensation under section 1151 for gallbladder surgery residuals is granted, while the claim for compensation under section 1151 for hemorrhagic stroke is remanded.
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