The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The cause of death listed on the certificate was bleeding esophageal varices due to hepatocellular carcinoma with Hepatitis B and C.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed conditions (bleeding esophageal varices, hepatocellular carcinoma, and Hepatitis B and C) to his active duty service or any other service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bleeding esophageal varices, hepatocellular carcinoma, Hepatitis B and C
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2004
- Citation
- 0416942
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 0416942.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma as the evidence did not support a link to in-service exposure or injury.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as service connection for various conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, hepatitis B and C, and chronic sinusitis but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 1, 2025.
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