Lung cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cause of death, upper thoracic spinal cord compression due to lung cancer, is not service-connected as the exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Okinawa has not been verified. The Board finds that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure and thus cannot grant service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has ordered additional development due to a missing temporary file and an addendum opinion from the February 2017 VA examiner considering arguments presented by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's lung cancer is found to be service connected for accrued benefits purposes and the cause of his death is also found to be service connected.