The Board granted service connection for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and a stroke with residual deficits, both on the basis that they were caused by service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's metastatic cholangiocarcinoma had onset in service and whether his stroke and residual deficits were caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection on a direct basis for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and on a secondary causation basis for the stroke and residual deficits.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, stroke and residual deficits
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25031250
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as metastatic cholangiocarcinoma was not shown to be related to his active service.
- Denied
The Board denied payment or reimbursement for non-VA medical care for cancer and hepatic steatosis as a Camp Lejeune family member due to the clinical finding that these conditions did not result from exposure at Camp Lejeune.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's cause of death is linked to his presumed in-service exposure to an herbicide agent such as Agent Orange.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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