Lung cancer decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. Lung cancer is not service connected as it metastasized from a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's asthma, lung cancer status post right lobectomy, sleep apnea, GERD, kidney disease, and headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether a portion of the lung cancer was a primary cancer and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and lung cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claim of residuals of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound or need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there were no indications that the Veteran's disabilities rendered him housebound or in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's cause of death, small cell lung cancer, is found to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure as a mechanic.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, anxiety, and a respiratory disability (lungs). An earlier effective date for service connection for anxiety is denied. A TDIU rating is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a lung condition, but has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding whether his diagnosed COPD and emphysema are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam, was found service connected and is considered the immediate cause of his death. The character of discharge for his initial period of service is held to be honorable.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted service connection as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, and his brain cancer is also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lung cancer.

The Veteran's death in January 2012 was due to metastatic lung cancer, which the Board found not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining additional VA medical records and for providing an addendum opinion from a VA oncologist regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death, was due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been granted. The lung cancer status post lobectomy is rated at 10 percent since March 1, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal regarding a reduction in his disability evaluation for lung cancer from 100% to 10%, effective April 1, 2017. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence of current pulmonary function test results.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicides. The appellant has been granted DIC benefits based on this cause of death.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted, resulting in a final denial.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to a lack of evidence linking his cancer, liver disease, and lung cancer to his military service. The appellant submitted new evidence alleging herbicide exposure but this was not supported by the record.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's lung cancer was a metastasis of his throat cancer and not related to herbicide exposure.