The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to a service-connected traumatic brain injury with persistent adjustment disorder. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury and persistent adjustment disorder substantially contributed to his cause of death due to a motorcycle accident, leading to an impaired judgment that resulted in excessive alcohol consumption and dangerous riding.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Persistent Adjustment Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2026
- Citation
- A26028373
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 A26028373.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to a procedural error.
- Granted
The Board granted entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) effective January 21, 2019, based on the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected TBI.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI is denied. The appeal for entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.
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