The Veteran died from pancreatic cancer with liver metastases. The VA physician concluded that his service-connected low back disability did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of ischemic heart disease at the time of death.
The deciding factor: A VA physician concluded that atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis of the aorta identified at autopsy contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, but service-connected low back disability did not cause his death.
- Claimed conditions
- adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, Gram-negative sepsis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1633962
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 1633962.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is granted as service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.
- 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.
- 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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