The Board has granted service connection for a disability of the digestive system (other than liver cancer) as due to radiation exposure, and for liver cancer and lung cancer as secondary to service-connected disability of the digestive system. The decision is based on evidence that the Veteran participated in a radiation-risk activity during his period of active service and was diagnosed with colon cancer, which is among the diseases specific to radiation-exposed veterans listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d).
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's participation in a radiation-risk activity during his period of active service made him a radiation-exposed veteran and that he was diagnosed with colon cancer, which is among the diseases specific to radiation-exposed veterans listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d). The Board also found that liver cancer and lung cancer were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disability of the digestive system.
- Claimed conditions
- digestive system (other than liver cancer), colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23024505
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 23024505.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected chronic fatigue and weakness due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer is granted, with an evaluation of 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer from May 1, 2005 is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for intestinal cancer, liver cancer, and a liver biopsy surgical scar as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intestinal cancer.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of liver cancer has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for liver cancer and an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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