The Board has determined that the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to frostbite and rated as 20 percent disabling in each extremity, contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The private physician provided an opinion that the peripheral neuropathy and cold injuries did not rise to the level of causation in the Veteran's death, but the Board found this opinion less persuasive due to the fact that the Veteran's death certificate listed lower extremity neuropathy secondary to frostbite as a significant condition contributing to death.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, cerebral infarction, coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease, lower extremity neuropathy secondary to frostbite, seizure disorder, chronic kidney disease, vascular dementia with delusions, basal cell cancer of the left ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1731161
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 1731161.
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.
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The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing and to continue with the appeal.
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