The Veteran's death was caused by advanced coronary artery disease, which the Board found to be related to service. Service connection for cause of death is granted, and DIC benefits are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had a history of hypertension and underwent extensive back surgery with complications that led to ventricular bigeminy and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The Board found his coronary artery disease was related to service, specifically his back disability. As such, the cause of death is considered service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- advanced coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass graft, rheumatic heart disease (as indicated by history of back surgery and hypertension), bigeminy with premature ventricular contractions, postoperative surgical scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24019733
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 A24019733.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for CAD, heart block, and coronary artery bypass graft was granted with an effective date of January 9, 1998.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the November 2021 echocardiogram and whether dyspnea can be attributed to CAD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart disability, as there was no evidence of an intent to file a claim prior to August 7, 2023, and the Nehmer provisions did not apply.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass graft, and acute/subacute/old myocardial infarction, as the evidence did not support a finding of a causal or etiological relationship between the Veteran's military service and his claimed conditions.
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