The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (multi-organ failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated liver disease and hepatorenal syndrome) was not incurred in or due to his active duty service. The peptic ulcer disease condition is considered a contributing factor but did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA endocrinologist concluded that it is less likely than not that any of the Veteran's cause of death was incurred in or due to his active duty service, citing lack of evidence in military records and affidavits.
- Claimed conditions
- multi-organ failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated liver disease, hepatorenal syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1640729
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 1640729.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma, which is secondary to hepatitis C, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of kidney cancer and liver cancer, finding that no formal or informal claims were filed prior to February 12, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the claim for DIC. The AOJ will now review the case in light of all available evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.
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