The Board denied service connection for renal and colorectal cancer, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The June 2018 VA examiner's opinion supported the denial by explaining that there is no increased risk of these cancers from herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The June 2018 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s history of tobacco use and genetics, rather than herbicide exposure, was more likely responsible for his cancer diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- renal cancer, colorectal cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18135053
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 18135053.
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
Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal. As a result, no decision can be made on your claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to insufficient service connection for the cause of his death, kidney cancer. The DIC claim is also remanded as it is contingent upon a finding of service connection.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for colorectal cancer, a disability rating more than 60 percent for nephrosclerosis associated with type II diabetes mellitus, TDIU, and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's colorectal cancer is granted on a direct basis. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his GI disorders, including diverticulitis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.