The Board determined that the veteran's cause of death from esophageal adenocarcinoma with metastases to bone and liver was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected conditions, including hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's fatal cancer to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma, Bone metastasis, Liver metastasis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2008
- Citation
- 0802643
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 0802643.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and bone metastasis are rated at 100% based on their current status, but the Board finds that these ratings cannot be considered permanent due to regulatory provisions. Therefore, a permanent and total disability rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer, which caused his death in January 2016, is related to his exposure to chemicals during service at missile launch sites. As a result, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for cause of the Veteran’s death has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was due to adenocarcinoma of the cecum and liver metastasis, which is not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence that herbicide exposure caused or contributed to these conditions.
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