The Board denied the claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to link any service-connected disability to his death.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's COVID-19 infection did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise causally related to any disease or injury in service. There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's cause of death and any service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Migraine Headaches, Status Post Fracture Right Wrist with Arthroscopic Repair, Scar on the Lateral Aspect of the Skull, Tinnitus, Right Hand Strain, Scar on the Right Wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24056610
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 A24056610.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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