The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not contribute to his death, and neither did any other service-connected condition. The Board agreed with this determination.
The deciding factor: The July 2016 VA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and no other service-connected conditions were found to be contributory causes of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Schizophrenia, paranoid type, Chronic Hypoxic Respiratory Failure (COPD), Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1736530
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1736530.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD and remanded the claims for service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hepatitis C, and TDIU.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child based on permanent incapacity for self-support established prior to age 18 due to schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case.
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