The Board has determined that the Veteran's GIST is a soft tissue sarcoma and was caused by his service. As he had in-country service in the Republic of Vietnam, he is entitled to presumptive service connection for his GIST.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had in-country service in the Republic of Vietnam and GIST is a form of soft tissue sarcoma which is listed as presumptively related to service under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) for veterans who have been exposed to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- soft tissue sarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0937177
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0937177.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, soft tissue sarcoma, and hypertension. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is presumed due to his service in Thailand with the 18 Organizational Maintenance Squadron (PACAF).
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma, but denied service connection for soft tissue sarcoma. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all claims by the Veteran through his authorized representative.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma and soft tissue sarcoma, finding no evidence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.
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.