The Veteran's death was attributed to heroin and ethanol toxicity, which were not service-connected conditions. The Board found that the service-connected hepatitis C with end stage liver disease did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death.
The deciding factor: There is no probative evidence showing that the service-connected hepatitis C caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death from heroin and ethanol toxicity.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C with end stage liver disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2013
- Citation
- 1335188
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 1335188.
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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