The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to septic shock, end-stage renal disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not show that the Veteran’s cause of death (septic shock, end-stage renal disease, and diabetes mellitus) was caused by any condition incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Septic Shock","diagnosis_date":null,"diagnosis_source":"VA hospitalizations"}, {"condition_name":"End-stage Renal Disease","diagnosis_date":null,"diagnosis_source":"VA hospitalizations and medical records"}, {"condition_name":"Diabetes Mellitus","diagnosis_date":null,"diagnosis_source":"VA hospitalizations, medical records, and treatment summaries"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19133517
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.