The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s fatal conditions to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran was not permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities prior to death.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiac dysrhythmia, atriial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR), congestive heart failure (CHF) class IV, anemia secondary to CHF, hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HACVD), chronic tubular interstitial nephritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18152649
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 18152649.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension (secondary to coronary artery disease), shortness of breath (secondary to coronary artery disease), valvular heart disease (secondary to coronary artery disease), and cardiac dysrhythmia (secondary to coronary artery disease) are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at U-Tapao base in Thailand, which is considered presumptive for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service-connected burial benefits, finding that his death was not caused by a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the need for further development.
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