The Veteran's service-connected mitral valve replacement with pericarditis, anemia, and scars contributed to her death from ventricular fibrillation. The Board finds that the heart disability caused or substantially contributed to the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected heart disability led to abnormal ventricular heart rhythms which were a contributing factor in her death.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve replacement with pericarditis, anemia, scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014767
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 A26014767.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to the AOJ's failure to address whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the program. The Board finds that the Veteran has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform the ADL of bathing.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of April 14, 1972 for the award of service connection for scars and denied a compensable disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence. The Board is unable to determine if there was a factual increase in disability prior to the effective dates requested, or if service connection should be granted based on the current evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's staph infection is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral feet condition, ED, and scars related to his now service-connected staph infection.
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