The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability or other condition contributed to the Veteran's death from a terminal cerebral aneurysm rupture. The cause of death is considered not related to any in-service events.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s underlying personality disorder or PTSD to his brain aneurysm rupture, and medication taken for service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, appendectomy, fracture of the right ninth rib
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19126135
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, hiatal hernia, COPD, and prostate cancer as a result of toxic exposure during the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an additional direct medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids, which fully satisfies the Veteran's appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective March 31, 2020, but denied an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating.
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