The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia, duodenal ulcer and chronic cholecystitis contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death from adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The private medical opinion provided in 1992 supports this finding.
The deciding factor: The private physician opined that the Veteran's acid reflux, hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus resulted in the development of adenocarcinoma which led to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- surgical absence of a kidney, hiatal hernia, duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1617822
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 1617822.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of her exposure history and lack of adequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at 50 percent. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia and esophagitis, related to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective March 12, 2021.
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