The Veteran died of chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse. The Board finds that the cause of death is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the pancreatitis or alcohol abuse to his military service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his fatal pancreatitis, nor any evidence suggesting exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange).
- Claimed conditions
- chronic pancreatitis, alcohol abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1520664
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1520664.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol abuse, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol abuse and drug abuse, as well as a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to potential errors in obtaining service treatment records and for an additional VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's chronic pancreatitis.
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