The Veteran's service connection claims for colorectal cancer and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the sternum were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service, continuous symptoms since service separation, or manifestation to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. The Board also found that the current medical literature does not support causality between herbicide exposure and the risk of developing colon cancer.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of lay and medical evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the Veteran's colorectal cancer and metastatic adenocarcinoma, including as due to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- colorectal cancer, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the sternum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19177683
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer from January 6, 2020, to April 30, 2020, and a 20 percent rating for bowel incontinence associated with colorectal cancer from May 1, 2020.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer based on new evidence and the Veteran's exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent, while other claims for service connection were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as well as service connection for colorectal cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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