The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected left eye phthisis bulbi, and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's service and hypostatic pneumonia or left eye cancer. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was determined to be hypostatic pneumonia due to cancer of the left eye.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions found that the Veteran's phthisis bulbi did not contribute to his death, and there is no evidence linking his service-connected condition or any other condition to his fatal cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- hypostatic pneumonia, left eye cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2014
- Citation
- 1400197
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 1400197.
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 Board denied service connection for an eye condition manifested as lazy eye or amblyopia and a left eye condition due to exposures to toxins, finding no current disability in either case.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for left eye cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is at least as likely as not related to his current condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left eye cancer and liver cancer are not service-connected, with the Board finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.,The cause of death (liver cancer) is also not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between the condition and the Veteran’s military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bayonet wound substantially contributed to his hypostatic pneumonia and subsequent death, which was the immediate cause of death. The Board finds that this opinion is highly probative as it was rendered by a board certified cardiologist.
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.