The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed materially or substantially to his death-causing dementia, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The evidence in favor of the claim includes a study indicating that veterans with PTSD are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those without PTSD, which is supported by an independent medical opinion. The opposing view was provided by another doctor who concluded that PTSD did not etiologically cause or contribute to the development of dementia.
- Claimed conditions
- staph aureus pneumonia, Pick's disease, fronto-temporal dementia, severe malnutrition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2014
- Citation
- 1432073
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 1432073.
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 Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to address whether Parkinson's disease and supranuclear ophthalmoplegia are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and if other neurological conditions are also related.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of nexus between the Veteran's cause of death and active service, but will consider whether exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam was a contributory or principal cause of death.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any disability caused by service-connected conditions contributed to his death.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between the Veteran's service and his disabilities that caused or contributed substantially to his death.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.