The VA physician found that the service-connected conditions (right forearm amputation, left hand injury, scar on nose, and left shoulder arthritis) did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death from end stage renal disease due to congestive heart failure. The Board therefore denied the claim as there was no evidence of a relationship between the service-connected disabilities and the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The VA physician concluded that the service-connected conditions at time of death did not substantially or materially contribute to end stage renal disease and/or congestive heart failure leading to his demise, due to multiple co-morbidities including hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, which are significant risk factors for developing these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right forearm amputation, Moderate wound of muscle group IX and retained foreign body of left hand, Scar on base of nose, Left shoulder arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1432379
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 1432379.
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 service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 24, 2012, to September 26, 2012.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder arthritis, left and right shoulder instability, and a right shoulder scar disabilities but granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for right shoulder instability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, a right shoulder contusion, left shoulder arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right upper extremity tremors, and left upper extremity tremors.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a qualifying chronic disability and granted an initial 10% rating for right knee instability, while denying service connection for other conditions including right wrist disorder, left hip disorder, right hand arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, increased ratings for the right knee flexion, and right shoulder recurrent dislocation.
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