The Veteran's death was caused by severe anoxic encephalopathy with underlying causes of respiratory failure and status post cardiopulmonary arrest. His service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicidal agent exposure, did not cause or substantially contribute to his death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was not the principal or a contributory cause of his death due to severe anoxic encephalopathy and underlying causes (respiratory failure and status post cardiopulmonary arrest).
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Coronary Artery Disease (not mentioned in the provided text), Polycythemia, Chronic Hypoxemia with Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension, Emphysema
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1725783
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 1725783.
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Related decisions
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The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus grants service connection for COPD.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as emphysema, but the Board found no causal connection to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
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