The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, including his colon/rectum cancer and lung metastases, was caused by exposures to toxic chemicals during service. Service connection for cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection is warranted because the evidence supports a causal relationship between the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals during service and his development of colon/rectum cancer with lung metastases, which led to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- colon/rectum cancer, lung metastases
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24005451
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 24005451.
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 granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma was related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, but an earlier effective date may be warranted based on specific facts of his case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding asbestos exposure in service and to determine if any causes of death were related to such exposure. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as metastatic colorectal cancer, but there are other cancers that may be related to asbestos exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos, as well as his service connection for the cause of death. Further development is needed to determine these issues.
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