The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure due to COPD and CHF, with his service-connected DM II and CAD contributing substantially to his condition. However, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he had not been continuously rated totally disabled for at least ten years prior to death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected DM II and CAD contributed substantially to his cause of death, but did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he was not continuously rated totally disabled for at least ten years prior to death.
- Claimed conditions
- DM II (Diabetes Mellitus type II), CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1404156
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 1404156.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's CAD warrants a 60 percent rating, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date is warranted due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for CAD was granted effective November 28, 2023. The effective date is based on the date of a VA examination showing the increase in disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for CAD and remanded the issue of service connection for granulomatous disease.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for implantation of cardiac pacemaker due to third degree atrioventricular block is granted. The minimum 10 percent rating is assigned under DC 7018, as the Veteran does not experience supraventricular arrhythmias or ventricular arrhythmias related to his service-connected heart disability and the symptomatology is already contemplated by the rating for CAD.
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