The Board denied service connection for residuals of esophageal cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and the veteran's active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The August 2024 VA examiner opined that the appellant's cancer was less likely than not related to in-service symptoms or exposure to CLCW, and there is no competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of esophageal cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2025
- Citation
- 25005314
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25005314.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings for lung disease and residuals of esophageal cancer as moot because the Veteran was already in receipt of the highest possible ratings for these conditions, which are in effect for the entirety of the appeal period. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at a higher level based on need for aid and assistance due to the Veteran's condition prior to his passing is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating for residuals of esophageal cancer was dismissed due to procedural issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of February 16, 2022 for the awards of service connection for GERD, residuals of esophageal cancer to include metastatic stomach cancer with partial removal of the stomach, scar of the naval and throat, and anemia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of esophageal cancer, renal cancer, and throat cancer, finding that these conditions are related to his exposure to toxic agents during military service.
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