The Veteran's alcohol dependence, which was due to his service-connected PTSD, contributed materially to the lobar pneumonia that caused his death. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's alcohol dependence was found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and contributed to his fatal lobar pneumonia.
- Claimed conditions
- Alcohol dependence, Lobar pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1417490
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 1417490.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with associated depression, major depressive disorder, polysubstance dependence, cocaine dependence, alcohol dependence, and a history of heroine dependence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 27, 2013, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, anxiety, and alcohol dependence due to new and relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as a disability of service origin did not cause or contribute to his death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that personality disorders are considered congenital or developmental defects and not subject to service connection.
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