The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death. The medical evidence does not support a conclusion that the service-connected conditions caused excessive acetaminophen use, which led to fulminant hepatitis and sepsis.
The deciding factor: The VA physician concluded there was insufficient evidence to suggest an acute active infection from the Veteran's legs leading to septicemia and subsequent hypotension and shock. The medical data did not support a diagnosis of acetaminophen overdose, as no acetaminophen level was performed at the time of presentation.
- Claimed conditions
- second and third degree burns of the left leg, burn contracture left upper extremity, second and third degree burns of the right leg, second and third degree burns of the back, second and third degree burns of the right arm, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression associated with second and third degree burns of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2013
- Citation
- 1309769
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 1309769.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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