The Veteran's death was due to service-connected cause, specifically his metastatic pancreatic cancer which is presumed to be related to burn pit exposure in the Persian Gulf. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: Pancreatic cancer, a disease presumptively associated with burn pit exposure under the PACT Act, was found to have been caused by environmental toxins in service and thus presumed to be service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- ascending cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, metastatic pancreatic cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26013091
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 A26013091.
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 determined that the Veteran's metastatic pancreatic cancer, which was service-connected, substantially and materially contributed to his death. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's pancreatic neoplasm and metastatic pancreatic cancer are granted service connection.,The cause of the Veteran's death, respiratory arrest due to metastatic pancreatic cancer, is also granted service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to metastatic pancreatic cancer, which the Board finds was caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. Service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest due to obstructive jaundice, was not service-connected. The Board found no direct or secondary service connection for the cause of death.
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