Opinion ID: 2974635
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Survivor’s Benefits Claim

Text: Mrs. Clonch also asserts that ALJ Kane improperly rejected her survivor’s benefit claim. To receive survivor’s benefits, a claimant must show that (1) the miner had pneumoconiosis, (2) the miner’s pneumoconiosis arose out of coal mine employment, and (3) the miner’s death was due to pneumoconiosis. 20 C.F.R. § 718.205(a). ALJ Kane relied on Mr. Clonch’s death certificate, stating that he died of cardiac arrest, to reject Mrs. Clonch’s survivor’s benefit claim. The Petitioners have presented no evidence to show that pneumoconiosis contributed to Clonch’s 11 death. Therefore, ALJ Kane’s decision to deny survivor’s benefits is supported by the only evidence on Clonch’s cause of death. Accordingly, the decision of the BRB affirming ALJ Kane’s decision regarding survivor’s benefits is hereby AFFIRMED.