The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the cause of death is service-connected.
The deciding factor: Hypertension was found to be a presumptively service-connected condition due to its onset during the Veteran's period of active duty and within one year of separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a).
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, penile angulation to the left with erectile dysfunction, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right shoulder and acromioclavicular joint, DJD of the left shoulder and acromioclavicular joint, DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, DJD of the left knee with patellar tendonitis, DJD of the right knee, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2013
- Citation
- 1309000
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 1309000.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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.