The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, attributing it to metastatic carcinoma of the rectum which developed many years after service and is not related to any service-connected condition or exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The cancer was first diagnosed many years post-service and there is no evidence linking it to military service. The VA also found that there is no presumption for service connection based on Agent Orange exposure for the type of cancer in question.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic carcinoma of the rectum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0200106
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0200106.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is now recognized as service-connected due to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 has been dismissed as moot.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic carcinoma of the rectum, chronic renal failure, pneumonia, and anemia. The appellant contends that his service-connected PTSD contributed to these conditions and thus indirectly contributed to his death.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.