The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits was also denied as there was no evidence of a qualifying disability at the time of her husband's death.
The deciding factor: The fatal hepatocellular carcinoma was not shown to be related to service-connected disabilities, and the veteran did not have a qualifying disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 at the time of his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2007
- Citation
- 0737066
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 0737066.
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 death was caused by hepatocellular carcinoma, which the VA has determined to be a result of hepatitis C. The VA found that the Veteran's in-service and post-service alcohol abuse and intravenous drug use were secondary to his service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions or due to other causes. The issues include determining whether ischemic heart disease, COPD, hepatocellular carcinoma, hypertension, and acute renal failure are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, specifically due to exposure through the use of a jet injector gun for inoculation in service. As such, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis (liver cancer), is deemed to be caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder due to alcohol abuse.
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