The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because his history of colon cancer, which is not considered a service-connected condition, precludes him from being in 'good health' as defined by VA standards.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's history of colon cancer, which occurred more than 7 years prior to the application and has not recurred, results in a mortality ratio exceeding 300 percent, disqualifying him from eligibility for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH).
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition, shell fragment wounds to the bilateral legs with retained foreign object in the right thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1636823
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 1636823.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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