The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence linking his service-connected subtotal gastrectomy with dumping syndrome to his circulatory symptoms and poor dental health.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no supporting evidence that the service-connected disability caused the medical complications leading to the Veteran’s death, including severe peripheral vascular disease and non-healing ulcers.
- Claimed conditions
- subtotal gastrectomy with dumping syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162672
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 19162672.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected subtotal gastrectomy with dumping syndrome contributed substantially or materially to his death. The AOJ should obtain and associate any outstanding medical records, including hospice records and VA treatment records, and refer the claims file to a suitably qualified VA examiner for a medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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