The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death and determined that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran had chronic respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis and emphysema, which were exacerbated by his service-connected disabilities such as ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease. These conditions contributed substantially to his death from pneumonia.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumonia, Emphysema, Congestive Heart Failure, Bronchiectasis, Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1611710
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 1611710.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination focusing on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for benefits, as well as his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for CAD was granted effective November 28, 2023. The effective date is based on the date of a VA examination showing the increase in disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure with Atrial Fibrillation with AICD and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection, and that the conditions were not caused or aggravated by service-connected OSA.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The Veteran's private cardiologist and VA examiner both opined against a link between his current condition and service.
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