The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining VA Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) records and obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hydrocodone prescribed for COPD, contributed to his suicide.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence in the record to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of his death by suicide.
- Claimed conditions
- bronchial asthma, right great toe fracture, right knee arthritis, right foot calcaneal and plantar spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24029482
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 A24029482.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma does not preclude him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for left and right knee arthritis, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU is dismissed as the issues are already pending in the legacy system, and docketing of the January 2022 NOD was erroneous.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been received. The AOJ should now consider secondary service connection in addition to the original claims.
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