The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed substantially or materially to by his service-connected tuberculosis disability. The primary cause of death due to respiratory failure from pneumonia with underlying septic shock, and other conditions contributing to death such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is not shown by the competent evidence of record to be related to his active military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion determined that tuberculosis was not mentioned as an immediate or significant contributing cause of death on the Veteran's death certificate, and did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death from respiratory failure due to pneumonia with underlying septic shock, which was significantly contributed to by his congestive heart failure and COPD.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome, moderate inactive pulmonary tuberculosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1441028
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 1441028.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar hemangioma, is granted as service connected. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions began during her military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted effective May 13, 2024. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of her completed supplemental claim.
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