The Veteran died of metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer and was not receiving VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, he is ineligible for nonservice-connected burial benefits.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria for VA burial benefits as he was not in receipt of VA service-connected or nonservice-connected benefits at the time of his death and had no pending claims for such benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2010
- Citation
- 1000747
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1000747.
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 death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking his metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer or hypertension to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer, which is considered a new and material condition based on evidence not previously submitted. The Board found that this cancer was likely caused by herbicide exposure during active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further action on the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, including obtaining missing medical records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension and metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer, is presumed to be related to radiation exposure during his service in Enewetak Atoll.
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