Lung cancer decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for renal carcinoma and lung cancer as secondary to renal carcinoma, and has also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private healthcare records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.

The Veteran's lung disability, including residuals of lung cancer status post right lobectomy and pleural disease, is considered service-connected as it is linked to his exposure to asbestos during military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic lung cancer, which is not service-connected due to lack of a direct link. The cause of the lung cancer (colon cancer) is also not associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by metastatic liver cancer, which is presumed to be service-connected due to his exposure to herbicides during service. The lung cancer, while not presumptively service-connected, may also have been related to his Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/lung disorder, including due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish that his current respiratory or lung impairment was related to his military service, especially given his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran died from metastatic lung cancer, which was not service-connected. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran had no service-connected disability rated totally disabling at the time of his death.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 1, 1991 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. This is based on the appellant's claim for pension benefits received in March 1991.

The Board is remanding the claim to the RO for further development due to inadequate notice and a need for a medical nexus opinion.

The Board is remanding the claim to determine if the Veteran's non-small cell lung cancer was related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange and asbestos.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer and death were not related to military service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a violation of the duty to assist and incomplete development. The Veteran's lung cancer claim will be reviewed again with an examination by a pulmonary oncologist, and VA will obtain any available records concerning the Veteran's exposure to radiation for a dose assessment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Veteran's lung cancer claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a dose estimate based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The case will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311 if confirmed exposure is found.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer and death were not service-connected, as there was no evidence linking his cancer to service or any presumptive conditions. The cause of death was determined to be pneumonia due to lung cancer.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for any disability, and the cause of death was not attributable to service or any incident of service.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for review of additional evidence submitted by the appellant, which includes a lay statement from S. D. expressing personal knowledge that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's lung and colon cancers are related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any restrictive impairment resulting from his service-connected right upper lobectomy, and concluded that the criteria for a compensable rating are not met.