The Board has granted DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which substantially contributed to his suicide.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had suicidal ideation related to his service-connected anxiety disorder and attempted suicide in 2015. His behavior changed after a trip to Hawaii that reminded him of his military service, leading to his death by self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously rated as anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2024
- Citation
- A24078010
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 A24078010.
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.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- 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.
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