The Board finds that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death due to accidental ingestion of hydrocodone, and thus denies the claim for service connection for cause of death.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were either a principal or contributory cause of his death from an accidental overdose of hydrocodone.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft, diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure, nasoseptal deviation, post-operative, hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure, post-surgical changes involving the mediastinum with replacement of sternal wires associated with coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure, left leg graft site associated with coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2017
- Citation
- 1760653
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 1760653.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial service connection claims for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure were denied as there is no evidence of prior claims.,The Veteran's mid-abdomen scar, hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy have all been denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for various conditions and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.
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