The Veteran's cause of death, anaplastic astrocytoma (brain cancer), is found to be related to his service aboard nuclear submarines where he was exposed to ionizing radiation. The Board finds the evidence in approximate balance and grants service connection for the cause of death on a direct basis.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion supports a finding that the Veteran's brain cancer, which caused his death, is at least as likely as not due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during active service.
- Claimed conditions
- anaplastic astrocytoma (brain cancer)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23021946
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 23021946.
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.
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- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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