The Board denied service connection for stomach cancer and Barrett’s esophagus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service. The denial was based on lack of exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or herbicide agents during service, as well as insufficient medical evidence linking the cancers to service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no competent medical evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran’s stomach cancer and his military service, including any potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Similarly, there was no evidence supporting a secondary service connection for Barrett's esophagus based on the stomach cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- stomach cancer, Barrett's esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18103671
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 18103671.
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).
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The Board has determined that the Veteran's increased rating claim for GERD with Barrett's esophagus should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and regulatory or statutory duties.
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The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and arrhythmia are remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.
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