The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking the malignant brain tumor to active service, including alleged exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's malignant brain tumor and his military service, particularly given the lack of credible evidence of herbicide agent exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Malignant brain tumor
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22019638
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 22019638.
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: Granted
The Veteran's glioblastoma brain cancer, presumed to be caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, is found to have contributed to his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for denying service connection for a malignant brain tumor, which is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appellant needs to provide evidence or an examination to support this claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is being remanded for further development, including a radiation dose estimate. The Veteran's death was due to a malignant brain tumor, which may be related to ionizing radiation exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, malignant brain tumor, is due to his exposure to Agent Orange in service and grants service connection for the cause of death.
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