The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic esophageal carcinoma and carcinoma of the colon, which were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no pathophysiologic connection between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his fatal cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic esophageal carcinoma, carcinoma of the colon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2011
- Citation
- 1120210
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 1120210.
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 granted service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic esophageal carcinoma, which is presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for carcinoma of the colon was dismissed due to a late filing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death was not related to herbicide agent exposure, but service connection for the cause of death is granted due to a current disability (metastatic esophageal carcinoma) and a causal relationship established on a direct basis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death is not related to service, and the appellant is not recognized as his surviving spouse for death pension purposes.
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