The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to multi-organ failure and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.
The deciding factor: There is no direct or presumptive evidence linking the Veteran’s cause of death (multi-organ failure and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- multi-organ failure, refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049258
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 20049258.
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 cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence to support presumptive service connection for his conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not service-connected, and remands the case for further development to verify in-service herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, multi-organ failure and metastatic prostate cancer, was not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea that would allow for presumptive service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by multi-organ failure due to or as a result of squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, radiation pneumonitis, and severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Board finds service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent during his service in Vietnam.
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.