The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his back disability, which began during active service and was treated with methadone, contributed substantially to his fatal methadone toxicity.

The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran had a back disability at the time of his death which began during active service, and that he used methadone to treat pain associated with this disability, contributing substantially or materially to his death.

Claimed conditions

back disability

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 10, 2025

Citation

A25021752

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