The Board finds that the veteran's terminal bladder cancer, which caused his death in June 1992, was likely due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: Competent medical opinion evidence supports a link between the veteran's exposure to herbicides and his terminal bladder cancer, which caused his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Neutropenia, Transitional cell cancer of the bladder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2007
- Citation
- 0737177
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 0737177.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's cause of death is dismissed due to the deaths of both the Veteran and his spouse, as an Appellant's claim does not survive their death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia with contributing diseases of neutropenia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The cause of death claim is remanded due to a failure to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, including 'service in the Republic of Vietnam' or 'in the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam'. The burial benefits claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for neutropenia is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a right hand scar is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's neutropenia has been rated at 100 percent since November 28, 2001 due to recurrent infections.
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.