The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to colon cancer, which was presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied as there was no evidence indicating that the Veteran's primary cause of death (colon cancer) was a type of cancer presumed service-connected in veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The Board found that colon cancer did not manifest during service, within the one year presumptive period for Agent Orange exposure-related cancers, and was not related to service or Agent Orange exposure. The primary cause of death (colon cancer) was not a type of cancer presumed service-connected in veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- Colon cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1126520
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 1126520.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected colon cancer disability, finding that there is inadequate evidence to support a compensable rating prior to March 23, 2021 and no increase in rating thereafter.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer has been granted due to new and relevant evidence received since the previous denial. The Board finds that the Veteran's current disability is a condition that had its onset during his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of colon cancer is granted, with a new rating of 30 percent effective December 1, 2024. The claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for two painful scars and for compensable ratings for four remaining scars are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically concerning his bladder cancer and other cancers allegedly caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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