Lung cancer decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer was not related to service, including any possible asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the lung cancer is due to tobacco use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by non-small cell lung cancer, which is at least as likely as not due to asbestos exposure during his naval service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to service, including as a result of exposure to asbestos. Therefore, the claim for service connection for lung cancer was denied.

The Veteran died from metastatic small cell lung cancer, but the evidence does not support a finding that his death was caused by service-connected conditions or exposure to herbicides. The Board therefore denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lung cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or intent to apply for benefits before August 19, 2014. The earliest possible effective date has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, was not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a nexus between the Veteran's military service and his lung cancer. While the Veteran had PTSD, there is no evidence to support that it caused him to smoke cigarettes which led to his lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is not related to service, including as due to chemical exposure. The claim for service connection for lung cancer is therefore denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer is presumed to be service connected due to his exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and chemical, biological or radiation exposure during service. The cause of death is being evaluated on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, a collapsed lung, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities as secondary to asbestos exposure. Service connection was denied for respiratory disorder (including COPD and emphysema) and neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for cause of death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange and the relationship between his lung cancer and service.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The issues of skin cancer, lung cancer, and cause of death are now inextricably intertwined.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA opinions provided no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, by an event, injury, or disease incurred in or aggravated by active service. The cause of the Veteran's death (chronic obstructive lung disease and lung cancer) is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's primary colon cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in service and has been continuous since then. The lung disability (claimed as Asbestosis, COPD, and Lung Cancer) is considered a direct service connection case based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his lung cancer and active service. The preponderance of the evidence did not show that the Veteran's lung cancer had its onset during or within one year after service discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's death is being considered for service connection, but the VA needs to verify his in-country service and exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board determined that lung cancer, which was the primary cause of the Veteran's death, is not service-connected and did not result from toxic herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.