The Veteran's renal cell cancer and its residuals are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service asbestos exposure, thus service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise regarding the etiology of the Veteran's renal cell cancer, with a private physician opining it is more likely than not caused by in-service asbestos exposure and a VA medical opinion acknowledging this risk factor but disagreeing on causation. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- renal cell cancer, residuals of partial left nephrectomy with abdominal arthroscopy scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18136659
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 18136659.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell cancer, which caused his death in December 2008, likely began during service and is therefore service-connected for the cause of his death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his renal cell cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during active service in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, renal cell carcinoma, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the cancer to his military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 19, 2007 for the award of service connection for renal cell cancer as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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.