Lung cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was attributed to lung cancer, with coronary artery disease as a contributing cause. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer is being remanded due to new evidence submitted showing asbestos exposure during his active duty. The VA will need to schedule a VA examination and determine if the Veteran's current lung cancer is related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are rated at a 60 percent rating, effective November 30, 2017.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for dyspepsia caused by the residuals of lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of radiation exposure and herbicide exposure, as well as lung cancer. The appellant is seeking service connection for her husband's death due to these exposures.

The Board denied an effective date prior to July 24, 2005 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing a timely filed application.

The Board denied an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis but granted a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting radiation exposure evaluation. The Veteran's death is being considered as a potential cause of his lung cancer due to possible exposure to herbicides.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to new and material evidence. The Veteran was found to have been exposed to radiation during his service, which is a recognized exposure basis for presumptive service connection. As a result, the Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The RO also granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 22, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung condition, including right lung cancer, due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's right lung cancer is found to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected conditions, including lung cancer and coronary artery disease. The cause of death listed on the amended death certificate is attributed to coronary artery disease, which the VA examiner opined was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and COPD, were not incurred in service. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer and COPD did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and the cause of death due to exposure to herbicides, as there was no evidence of actual service in Vietnam or Thailand where Agent Orange use occurred.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, lymph node cancer, and prostate cancer were not service-connected due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran did not have a confirmed period of service in Vietnam or along the DMZ in Korea during the qualifying period for herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam or Thailand and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was due to renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the liver, with lung cancer contributing. The service-connected conditions did not play a principal role in his death.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for residuals of lung cancer from 100% to 10% was proper and restored the original 100% rating.

The Veteran's lung cancer and PTSD are not service-connected, with the lung cancer being denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is not etiologically related to his active service, including any asbestos exposure in service.