The Board has granted service connection for malignant fibrous histiocytoma and osteosarcoma of the left lower extremity, finding that exposure to environmental hazards during service caused or aggravated these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing significant treatment with residuals and exposure to hazardous environments.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's malignant fibrous histiocytoma and osteosarcoma were at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the claimed service exposures, including exposure to environmental hazards such as dust and chemicals during service as a bulk fuel specialist in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.
- Claimed conditions
- malignant fibrous histiocytoma, osteosarcoma
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19194137
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19194137.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer and metastatic osteosarcoma are related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be reviewed with an addendum opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteosarcoma and hepatitis B, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his service. The cause of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate was osteosarcoma.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and gout, is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pit toxins during his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding TDIU as moot due to the restoration of a 100% rating for service-connected malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The case is remanded for further consideration on the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus.
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.