The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or a link between diabetes mellitus and active duty service. The Veteran died from multiple myeloma, end stage renal disease, and diabetic neuropathy, none of which are service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Myeloma, End Stage Renal Disease, Diabetic Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1725170
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1725170.
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 Veteran's multiple myeloma is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has determined that the disability picture does not adequately contemplate his symptoms of fatigue. The VA examiner noted marked interference with employment due to fatigue. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is remanded for consideration of extraschedular considerations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's ESRD is denied as not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure. The skin cancer of the right ear remains under remand for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by multiple myeloma, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand during the Vietnam War. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on this presumption.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic), and diabetes mellitus Type 2, combine to result in physical or mental impairment that renders him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person. However, the need for aid and attendance must be determined without considering nonservice-connected disabilities.
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