The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a malignant brain tumor, which is now considered a presumptive service-connected condition due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.
The deciding factor: The veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during service and developed a malignant brain tumor that led to his death. Cancer of the brain is now recognized as a presumptive service-connected condition due to exposure to ionizing radiation, thus warranting service connection for the cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Cerebral edema, Right cerebral tumor
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2002
- Citation
- 0213472
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 0213472.
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 death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the Board is remanding for further development of evidence regarding the cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Salisbury VAMC treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service symptoms and the Veteran's cause of death.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not service-connected as his cause of death (cardiovascular collapse due to cerebral edema, as a consequence of a gunshot wound to the brain) was not related to any service-connected disability. The Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of death.
- Denied
The Veteran died due to acute respiratory failure caused by cerebral edema and ischemic infarction. The Board found no service connection for any disability, and there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.
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