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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1633962.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is granted as service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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. How we handle your email.
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.