The Board denied service connection for soft tissue sarcoma metastasized to the right lung, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.,The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be failure to thrive due to metastatic bone cancer and metastatic colon cancer. The Board concluded that his appendiceal cancer, which metastasized to the lungs and bones, is not service-connected.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence showing soft tissue sarcoma during active duty or within one year of separation from active duty.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's metastatic appendiceal cancer was not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Appendiceal Cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20048945
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20048945.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, respiratory cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple melanoma are dismissed. The rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee and ankle disorders, liver failure, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's gastrointestinal stromal tumor and soft tissue sarcoma are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability was incurred or aggravated by service.
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