The Veteran's cause of death was listed as carcinomatosis, metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma. The Board found that the Veteran's bladder cancer was not related to his active military service and denied both service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a relationship between the Veteran's bladder cancer and his active military service, as there were no complaints or treatment records indicating symptoms prior to discharge from service.
- Claimed conditions
- carcinomatosis, metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19166503
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 19166503.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The Board will also review the nature and etiology of the cause of the veteran's death, including whether it was related to his military service.
- Granted
The veteran's cause of death, carcinomatosis with the gallbladder as the primary site, is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The VA has determined that he had a service-connected disability (PTSD and shell fragment wound residuals) which was not the principal or contributory cause of his death.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for carcinomatosis and colon cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for accrued benefits due to lack of entitlement at the time of death.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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