The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: A private medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD at least as likely as not substantially contributed to his death by aggravating his cardiac conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumonia, Coronary artery disease, Diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1750615
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 1750615.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance travel expenses incurred on June 17, 2025 due to an emergency heart attack. The ambulance service was provided by a volunteer organization and later intercepted by a higher-tier EMT company.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for HISA benefits is granted as the modification requested (a barrier free, roll-in shower) falls within the scope of HISA and addresses his medical need due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.
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