The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining an autopsy report and dose estimate of radiation exposure.
The deciding factor: Incomplete medical records and lack of specific evidence regarding radiation exposure during service prevent a determination on the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- exsanguinating hemorrhage, ruptured esophageal varices, obstructive biliary cirrhosis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2004
- Citation
- 0423787
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 0423787.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits were not met. The claim for accrued benefits is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused alcohol abuse, which led to cirrhosis of the liver and ultimately contributed to his death from ruptured esophageal varices. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's laryngeal cancer, which was diagnosed and treated during his lifetime, contributed substantially or materially to his death. As a result of this finding, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.
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.