The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to respiratory failure caused by community-acquired pneumonia and chronic hydro pneumothoraces, was not related to his active service or his service-connected disabilities. The appellant's statements were considered but are not sufficient to establish a causal link between her husband's death and his military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any connection between the Veteran's service, including his service-connected fragment wound of the mid-thoracic area and left posterior chest, and his cause of death. The condition that caused his death was diagnosed shortly after he returned home from service, more than 60 years later.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory failure, community-acquired pneumonia, chronic hydro pneumothoraces, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2014
- Citation
- 1410713
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 1410713.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
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