The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including alcohol use disorder, dementia, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for adhesive pleurisy and painful scar. The decision also noted that the appellant did not meet the criteria to be considered a dependent child or have evidence showing she bore the expense of the Veteran's last illness and burial.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements for accrued benefits, including being an eligible survivor under 38 U.S.C. § 5121 and bearing the expenses of the Veteran's last sickness and burial.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol use disorder, dementia, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24049038
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 A24049038.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an insomnia disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
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