The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's death was caused by hemorrhagic stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, and cholangiocarcinoma. The primary contributing factor is unclear as no definitive evidence linking prescribed pain medication to his cancer has been provided.
- Claimed conditions
- Hemorrhagic stroke, Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary embolus, Cholangiocarcinoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1543094
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 1543094.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's 100% rating for hemorrhagic stroke is granted effective March 19, 2021. OSA and periodic limb movement syndrome are denied service connection. Pituitary mass remains under review.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2009. The Board has granted an effective earlier date of October 1, 2009 for a TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity varicose veins, post-phlebitic syndrome, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of persistent edema or stasis pigmentation.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right leg post phlebitic syndrome and a higher rating for DVT, but granted a 20 percent rating from November 30, 2022.
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