The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the cause of death (acute cerebrovascular accident) is not linked to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck is not considered a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The May 2015 VA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's acute cerebrovascular accident and vertebral artery thrombosis were not caused by or related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck is not considered a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute cerebrovascular accident, Vertebral artery thrombosis, Squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1614675
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 1614675.
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 Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not receive accrued benefits for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The claim for death benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including determining the distance to the nearest VA medical facility and whether a bed was available at this facility. A new opinion from a VA medical doctor is also required regarding when the Veteran became stable enough for transfer to a VA facility.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions. The claims for service connection and DIC were therefore denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding both theories of entitlement: service connection based on secondary effects of prescribed medication, and DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
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