The Veteran's spouse died due to a drug overdose, but there was no service-connected disability at the time of death. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had no service-connected disabilities and his death was not related to active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Drug Overdose
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18117787
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 18117787.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. This includes obtaining updated VCAA notice, medical records from various hospitals and providers, verification of service, and any other relevant information.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by a drug overdose due to severe degenerative arthritis with neck and back pain, which was proximately caused by VA's incorrect Methadone prescription. The Board found that the cause of death was not willful misconduct and granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The VA treatment in September 2004, including the prescribed medications, did not cause the Veteran's death due to drug overdose and alcoholism. The Board finds that there is no evidence supporting a claim for VA disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for DEA benefits under Chapter 35. The VA psychologist concluded that the veteran's death was not related to her active service.
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