The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. However, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's service-connected right thumb scar and his death from hepatoma.
The deciding factor: The newly submitted medical evidence does not provide sufficient clinical details or treatment records to support a nexus between the veteran's peptic ulcer disease treated post-service and his liver disorder leading to death. The Board also found no competent evidence linking the cause of death to service.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatoma, liver disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0844330
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 0844330.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his liver disorder, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, edema, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence after a prior denial. The Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to properly determine entitlement to service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and liver disorder due to inadequate development of evidence in previous examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for kidney, liver, and pituitary gland disorders to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding their nature and etiology.
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.