The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic adenocarcinoma, tracheobronchial esophageal fistula, malignant pericardial effusion, and liver metastasis. None of these conditions were service-connected before the Veteran's passing.
The deciding factor: Service connection is not warranted because none of the causes of death are linked to service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, tracheobronchial esophageal fistula, malignant pericardial effusion, liver metastasis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1759272
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 1759272.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, and a new VA opinion is needed regarding the cause of death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic adenocarcinoma was likely due to a primary lung cancer, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his fatal rectal carcinoma was caused by exposure to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during service. The decision is based on a presumption of exposure due to the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification of opinions. The claims are related as they all involve conditions that have been linked to non-small cell lung cancer.
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