Entitlement to service connection for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach and esophagus for accrued benefits purposes is granted.

Board reasoning

The Board found that the veteran’s metastatic stomach/esophagus adenocarcinoma has potentially been caused by service, including credible assertions of asbestos exposure and radiological contamination from military service, and that secondary conditions—oxaliplatin-induced neuropathies and inguinal hernia—are reasonably linked to the service-connected cancer. The Board applied a liberal interpretation under the AMA framework, considering evidence as of the date of the Board hearing and evidence submitted within 90 days, and determined that the accrued-benefits claim should be granted for all listed issues, including the cause of death, after weighing lay and medical evidence in favor of service connection and finding substantial contributory role of the cancer in death.