The Veteran was service-connected for epilepsy at the time of his death, but there is no evidence that he died from a service-connected disability. The appellant cannot claim burial benefits as she did not pay for the funeral expenses.
The deciding factor: The appellant did not provide proof of payment for the funeral expenses related to her husband's death.
- Claimed conditions
- epilepsy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2014
- Citation
- 1449134
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 1449134.
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 adult step-child, C.D., became permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 due to multiple medical conditions. The Board granted additional dependency compensation for this reason.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The TDIU was granted effective October 10, 2023, but the Board found that the issue of unemployability had not been previously adjudicated. The DEA benefits were also denied as they became effective on the same date as the TDIU award.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the use of a manual wheelchair during the 2022 calendar year due to wear and tear on his clothing caused by the wheelchair.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's epilepsy is related to his in-service head injury during a motor vehicle accident, and thus service connection for epilepsy is granted.
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.