The Veteran developed additional disability (decubitus ulcers eventually necessitating above knee amputations) as a result of an improperly fitted wheelchair prescribed by VA, which was due to VA's failure to exercise the degree of care that would be expected of a reasonable health care provider in prescribing and monitoring the Veteran's use of the wheelchair. The Board finds that compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of decubitus ulcers of the lower extremities, to include above knee amputations is warranted.
The deciding factor: The initial wounds to the Veteran's lower extremities were due to an improperly fitting wheelchair prescribed by VA and not properly monitored, resulting in carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or error in judgment on VA's part.
- Claimed conditions
- decubitus ulcer, above knee amputation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1455014
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 1455014.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's decubitus ulcer and right ischial tear were not caused by VA negligence, as pressure ulcer protocols were routinely implemented. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as chronic renal failure, obstructive uropathy, benign prostatic hypertrophy, urinary tract infections, decubitus ulcer, hypostatic pneumonia and sepsis. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred in or aggravated by service. Additionally, the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was determined not to have contributed to his death.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by a completed stroke, which is presumptively service-connected for former POWs. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death was granted effective October 5, 2006.
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.