The Veteran's last sickness leading to his death began in September 2013 when dialysis was discontinued due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The Board found that the appellant is not entitled to additional accrued benefits as he did not bear the expense of the Veteran’s last sickness.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's 'last illness' began in September 2013 when dialysis was terminated, and this decision was based on the family's choice rather than an acute medical condition. The appellant did not bear the expense for the Veteran's last sickness.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Renal Failure, Alzheimer's Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21023105
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 21023105.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and no other link between the Veteran's death and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's adult son, the Appellant, is granted accrued benefits due and unpaid at the time of his father's death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the expenses borne by the Appellant were a result of the Veteran's last sickness and burial.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Alzheimer's Disease and the cause of death, finding that both were related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on evidence showing a relationship between such exposure and the development of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 23, 2023, for his PTSD rating is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not file a VA Form 9 in response to the May 2020 Statement of the Case and therefore, the May 2020 decision is final. As such, an earlier effective date cannot be granted.
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