The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed to his death from metastatic colon and liver cancer. The appellant is also granted SMC at the housebound rate based on the need for aid and attendance due to her husband's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established as the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed substantially or materially to his death from metastatic colon and liver cancer. The appellant is eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to the need for aid and assistance related to her husband's service-connected disabilities, including a 100% rating for psychiatric disability.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic depressed schizoaffective disorder, well-healed scar, residual of an appendectomy/laparoscopy, resection of the small intestine, multiple burn scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1519767
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 1519767.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, and resection of the small intestine as new and relevant evidence was not received to support these claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the May 2006 colonoscopy and related treatment records, as well as causation of gastrointestinal problems, resection of the small intestine, and laparotomy to drain multiple abdominal abscesses.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for Crohn's disease and the related claim of service connection for resection of the small intestine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for Crohn's disease and resection of the small intestine due to conflicting evidence regarding environmental exposure and continuity of symptomatology.
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.