Lung cancer decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's lung cancer, which was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's colon, liver, and lung cancers are not related to his active service, including presumed herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's death was related to military service, and he may have been eligible for government life insurance. However, the VA has determined that there is a positive association between exposure to herbicides and the subsequent development of respiratory cancers of the lung, which led to his death from a presumptive disability associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lung cancer, which may be related to in-service diesel fuel exposure. Additionally, private medical records are requested for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death in November 2008, was not present during service or related to service. The Board finds the VA medical opinion persuasive that the lung cancer was unrelated to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer and lung cancer as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that further factual development is needed to decide the issues of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to enhanced death pension benefits due to the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status as a surviving spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and lung cancer are related to his military service, including exposure to dioxins and other environmental toxins. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted as due to herbicide exposure, specifically burn pit exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's lung cancer and COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic lung cancer due to renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to bone and lung, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his military service. The evidence did not establish a medical relationship between the Veteran's cancer and his time in service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and also denied entitlement to nonservice-connected VA death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying service. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic lung cancer. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death as there is no evidence linking it to military service or a service-connected disability. Accrued benefits were also denied due to lack of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as early as August 21, 2007.

The Veteran's lung cancer claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides. The VA will attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure through JSRRC and provide a formal finding if necessary.

The Veteran died of metastatic lung cancer. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits was received on May 20, 2009, which is the effective date assigned by VA. As there was no pending claim at the time of his death and he did not have a claim pending when he died, the appellant is denied an earlier effective date for DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death is caused by lung cancer, which was found to be related to his exposure to asbestos during military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further review of the Veteran's exposure history. The appellant must provide additional medical releases if they have any prior chest X-rays.

The Veteran died in November 2004 due to cardiac arrest secondary to lung cancer. The Board found no service connection for any disability and the cause of death is not related to service or a presumptive condition.