The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's carcinoma of the esophagus during his military service or within one year after discharge, and thus denied DIC benefits based on service connection for cause of death.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence that the Veteran's carcinoma of the esophagus was incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- carcinoma of the esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2023
- Citation
- 23025118
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 23025118.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining an independent medical opinion and further review of the claims file.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the esophageal cancer was not related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is presumed to be service-connected due to his Vietnam-era service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
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