Lung cancer decisions — 2016

The Veteran's prostate cancer and lung cancer are found to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand, and thus granted as service connected.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the cause of death (blastomycosis) is not related to his active duty. The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's lung disability and bilateral hearing loss disability claims were denied. The lung disability claim was not granted due to lack of a relationship between service and the condition, while the hearing loss disability claim was denied as there is no evidence showing it meets the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding a new theory of causation involving Gulf War service exposure. The Veteran's lung cancer is being evaluated in light of this new information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected lung cancer, and thus grants service connection for COPD as secondary to lung cancer.

The Veteran's lung cancer was not service-connected, and the Board found that it was not caused by his military service. The cause of death due to lung cancer is also denied.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's service and his death, as there was no evidence of initial manifestations of lung cancer in service or during the first year after service. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected COPD/emphysema. The effective date is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's lung cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure during his time at Udorn Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer was received on February 28, 2011, which is the earliest date entitlement arose. The effective date for this grant of service connection will be February 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, lymph node cancer, throat cancer, and tonsillar cancer due to exposure to herbicides are denied.,VA treatment records show that the Veteran has never had a diagnosis of any of these cancers.

The Veteran's death was caused by parotid gland cancer, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is not related to his active service, including asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence shows that the lung cancer was not present during or within one year after service and is more likely due to smoking.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for her non-calcified nodule of the left lung, which was diagnosed as lung cancer. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if her condition may be related to her Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative lung cancer is service-connected due to exposure to asbestos during his military service.

The Veteran's right lung cancer with status-post pneumonectomy and residual obstructive lung disease is rated at 100% effective January 18, 2013. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease and/or metastasis of lung or larynx cancer, which are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in the Vietnam era. The Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon, liver, and lung cancer are granted. The cause of death is also granted as the primary cause was metastatic colon cancer due to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's lung cancer is service-connected for accrued benefits purposes, and his brain, bone, and lymph cancers are also service-connected on a secondary basis. The cause of death due to lung cancer is also granted.

The Veteran's lung cancer is related to herbicide exposure during service, and his death was due to or caused by the service-connected lung cancer.