The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death from sepsis syndrome due to gangrene of the foot.
- Claimed conditions
- limitation of motion in the left ankle with atrophy of the left lower leg with osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, limited extension of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, radiculopathy of the right hip, radiculopathy of the left hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2015
- Citation
- 1525034
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1525034.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hips and right knee are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is required to obtain the Veteran's SSA disability benefits records, provide supplemental opinions regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on his hip and knee disabilities, and correct any duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right knee scar. The RO must attempt to obtain all available private treatment records from the Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.
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