The Veteran's cause of death, esophageal perforation secondary to gastroesophageal cancer, is found to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and other environmental factors. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The private doctor provided a positive opinion linking the Veteran's esophageal cancer, identified as the immediate cause of death, to his service due to exposure to Agent Orange and TCE.
- Claimed conditions
- esophageal perforation, gastroesophageal cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2023
- Citation
- A23032862
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 A23032862.
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 Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal cancer pursuant to the PACT Act, as the Veteran was presumed to have toxic exposures due to his Southwest Asia theater of operations service and diagnosed with the condition during his lifetime.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an esophageal perforation and its residuals, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort, shortness of breath, painful scar, and an acquired psychiatric disorder with insomnia, has been denied because the evidence does not show that additional disability was incurred due to VA's carelessness or negligence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to an esophageal perforation and its residuals is remanded as the existing record does not contain a medical opinion addressing this question.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastroesophageal cancer, which is related to service. The case will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.