The Veteran's death from AIDS is denied as there is no evidence linking his service to the development of AIDS.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a link between the Veteran's service and the AIDS infection that caused his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), disseminated mycobacterium gordonae, encephalopathy, genital herpes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19157623
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 19157623.
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 has denied the claims for service connection for encephalopathy and female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for genital herpes is denied as the highest schedular rating of 60% has been achieved. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions and the fact that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100% disability rating.
- Partly granted
Entitlement to an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 for the award of service connection for eczema is denied.,Entitlement to a TDIU from January 28, 2015 to May 26, 2017 is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 28, 2015 is denied.,Entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate from January 28, 2015 to May 26, 2017 is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is already receiving TDIU benefits from November 17, 2015. The Board finds that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 21, 2013.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.