The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's in-service conditions, including gonorrhea, urethritis, and non-venereal balanitis, contributed to his development of metastatic cancer which ultimately led to his death. The claim for service connection for cause of death is therefore granted.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion provided by a Veterans Health Administration expert concluded that the Veteran's in-service conditions likely caused his penile cancer and subsequent metastatic cancer, leading to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- gonorrhea, urethritis, non-venereal balanitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1709776
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 1709776.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied due to the late filing of appeal requests, and the attempts are dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gonorrhea and its residuals, including infertility, as well as his claim for SMC based on loss of use of Creative Organ. The evidence did not support a current disability related to these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 28, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for BPH. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum medical opinion that considers the Veteran's treatment for urethritis during his military service.
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