The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service, nor were his service-connected disabilities found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA clinician's opinion concluded that the Veteran’s liver cancer and cardiorespiratory arrest were not incurred in, related to, or caused by his service, including associated with presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The service-connected disabilities did not either cause or contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran’s death.
- Claimed conditions
- liver cancer, cardiorespiratory arrest
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18116121
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 18116121.
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 of liver cancer has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for liver cancer and an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for intestinal cancer, liver cancer, and a liver biopsy surgical scar as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intestinal cancer.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for colon cancer and liver cancer is granted due to the relationship between his in-service toxic exposures, including burn pits. His liver cancer was found to be related to his now service-connected colon cancer.
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