The Board found that the Veteran's death from coronary atherosclerosis was not proximately due to or the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing reasonable care. The event leading to his death (coronary atherosclerosis) was not reasonably foreseeable.
The deciding factor: The progression of coronary atherosclerosis was rapid and there were no red flags for ischemic heart disease during the year and a half before his death, making further cardiology work-up unnecessary.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary atherosclerosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20039540
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 20039540.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for coronary atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus type II, but has remanded the cases due to new evidence received. The claims are being remanded for toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) medical opinions regarding any possible nexus between the Veteran's claimed exposures in Camp Lejeune and his conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella and left knee instability is denied, but he is granted service connection for coronary atherosclerosis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's coronary atherosclerosis is remanded due to duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate TERA opinion, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to burn pits.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 1991 for the award of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to apparent entitlement to DIC benefits.
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