Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his in-service asbestos exposure, which contributed to his lung cancer. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's lung cancer, presumed related to his in-service exposure to commercial herbicides in Thailand, was found to be the cause of death. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung cancer, bladder cancer, lymph node cancer, and bone cancer due to herbicide and radiation exposure. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's metastasized bladder cancer.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical opinion to determine if there is distinguishable symptomatology between the residuals of the Veteran's laryngeal cancer and his right lung cancer, which are currently rated together. The remand requires obtaining additional treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-4142 for any private medical treatment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for neck disorder, right eye vision loss, lung cancer, emphysema, and hypertension. The appellant's assertions regarding these conditions will be reviewed by VA clinicians.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of lung cancer before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for spindle cell lung cancer and associated metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, finding that the Veteran's asbestos exposure during military service is likely related to his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicides at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives. The Veteran's character of discharge from military service is being reviewed, but no service connection claims are decided as the appeal does not involve a determination on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the April 2017 SOC. The Veteran's lung cancer claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death in September 2010, is found to be related to his service-connected asbestos exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from June 13, 2012 to March 24, 2013. The issue of TDIU prior to June 13, 2012 is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain all relevant records and provide a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's DIC benefits were correctly calculated and paid, but the appellant is not entitled to additional compensation as her husband was only rated at 100% for less than eight years prior to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer, finding that there was no causal link between his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his lung cancer. The decision also noted that smoking history is a more likely cause of the Veteran's lung cancer.

The Veteran's death was attributed to lung cancer, but the Board found no evidence linking this condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l) level based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities from April 19, 2007, to March 19, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lung cancer disability and any residuals thereof, as well as whether there has been a worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's lung cancer and coronary artery disease are granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Thailand.