The VA compensation medical opinion determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from interstitial lung disease. The primary cause of death was listed as interstitial lung disease, which caused acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting in the Veteran's demise.
The deciding factor: The January 2011 VA compensation physician concluded that the service-connected heart/circulatory conditions did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death from interstitial lung disease.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease with atrial fibrillation/flutter, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, loss of one-third right ear auricle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1230697
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 1230697.
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).
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- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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