The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, metastatic renal cell cancer, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board also noted that there is no positive association between exposure to herbicides and any other condition for which the Secretary has not specifically determined that a presumption of service connection is warranted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's cause of death (metastatic renal cell cancer) was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's death to exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic renal cell cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0843901
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 0843901.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell cancer and related conditions, is service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for metastatic renal cell cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The hypertension issue is remanded as there is no opinion on its etiology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell cancer, is found to be due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was due to metastatic renal cell cancer and hemorrhagic stroke. The appellant argued that her husband's Parkinson's disease contributed to his fall, which led to the stroke and ultimately his death. The medical evidence supports this claim, as a private physician opined that Parkinson's disease was a contributing factor to the Veteran's death.
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.