The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking it to active military service. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical opinion or evidence suggesting that metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma was the direct result of the Veteran's service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20057349
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 20057349.
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 Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his rectal cancer to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma was related to service and exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied entitlement to accrued benefits.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, including due to exposure to herbicides. The cause of death was pneumonia resulting from metastatic rectal cancer.
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