Lung cancer decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected condition (spontaneous pneumothoraces), and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative residuals of lung cancer but denied a compensable disability rating, resulting in a denial.

The Board has granted DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, which was due to lung cancer linked to Agent Orange exposure. The effective date is set at May 24, 2001.

The Board granted DIC based on the presumption of service connection for lung cancer, which was found to have become manifest within thirty years after the veteran's herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at June 1, 2001, the first day of the month in which the veteran died.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. The rating assigned will be determined after further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected status post right upper lobectomy with history of lung cancer secondary to asbestos exposure warranted a 10 percent disability rating, based on current pulmonary function test results showing mild to moderate restrictive changes.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lung cancer, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and there is no evidence linking it to any period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's metastatic lung cancer, which was caused by his service-connected PTSD and tobacco use, qualifies for service connection as a result of the aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung cancer, presumed to have been incurred in service, was the cause of his death. As a result, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the veteran's exposure to asbestos and his employment history, as well as for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disorder and lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining information about asbestos exposure during military service and arranging for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of claims for service connection based on Agent Orange exposure and asbestos exposure, including obtaining additional medical opinions.