The Veteran's cause of death was due to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with metastasis, and bilateral pulmonary congestion contributed as a contributory cause. The service connection for these conditions is denied as they are not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pancreatic cancer and associated complications were not shown to be causally related to his military service, including any exposure to ionizing radiation or herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, bilateral pulmonary congestion, multiple small thrombo-emboli of the left lung
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1238130
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 1238130.
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 appeal for service connection of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is remanded. The Board needs more records, including VA Community Care and VistA Imaging records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is granted as service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits due to potential issues with the medical opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure and its relation to the Veteran's pancreatic cancer.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Ewing's Sarcoma, adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, Hurthle cell thyroid cancer, status post thyroidectomy, and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, left lobe due to his exposure to radiation while working as an electrician on nuclear-powered submarines during his military service.
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