The Veteran's cause of death was Alzheimer’s dementia, which is not service-connected. The Board denied DIC benefits as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability compensation due to a service-connected condition for at least 10 continuous years immediately preceding his death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran died from Alzheimer's dementia, but this condition is not service-connected and does not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Claimed conditions
- Alzheimer's dementia, Atherosclerotic heart disease, Hyperlipidemia, Lateral sclerosis, High blood pressure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18103329
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 18103329.
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: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure and a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Alzheimer's dementia as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's dementia.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aortic valve regurgitation, and hypothyroidism as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or chronic symptoms.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure and withdrawn his appeal regarding total disability based on individual unemployability.
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