The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to alcoholic cirrhosis, which was caused by alcohol dependence aggravated by PTSD resulting from combat experiences in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: PTSD and alcohol dependence were found to be related to service, with the Veteran's symptoms exacerbated by his alcohol use.
- Claimed conditions
- Alcoholic hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Portal hypertension, Coagulopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2015
- Citation
- 1551324
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 1551324.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, and obstructive sleep apnea but dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for congestive heart failure and PTSD, granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, and granted special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his death to his military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to April 19, 2011, and a 100 percent rating for cirrhosis from October 17, 2007. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD after April 19, 2011, and hepatitis C were denied.
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