The Veteran's death was caused by VA medical treatment, specifically the use of local anesthetic during surgery. The Board found that this event was not reasonably foreseeable and granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death as a result of medical treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The deciding factor: The use of local anesthetic during surgery caused the Veteran's cardiac arrest, which led to his death. The Board determined that this event was not reasonably foreseeable and granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death as a result of medical treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Claimed conditions
- hypoxic encephalopathy due to cardiopulmonary arrest following injection of local anesthetic
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1646773
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 1646773.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
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