The Veteran's cause of death, aortic stenosis, was not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.
The deciding factor: A VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities jointly or in combination were the immediate or underlying cause of death and contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic stenosis, psychoneurosis (generalized anxiety disorder), mild lumbar sprain, residuals of malaria
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1429556
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 1429556.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, which included atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service at Fort McClellan. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for aortic insufficiency, aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure, and carotid artery disease. The conditions are related to in-service exposure to toxic substances and stress.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease/aortic stenosis status post aortic valve replacement was improper, and thus restored the original grant of service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease and aortic stenosis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his current heart issues are related to his in-service diving. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
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