Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for lung cancer, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was related to his military service or as due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure and a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, neuropathy, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision also remanded claims for a back disability, neck disability, colonic polyps, cellulitis of right forearm.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence linking any of the causes of death (respiratory failure and nonsmall cell lung cancer) to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and heart disorder, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other events that could establish a link between the conditions and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability, including lung cancer status post right upper lobectomy, resulted in FEV-1/FVC of 71 percent and was not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the cause of death, specifically whether in-service hypercholesterolemia caused the Veteran's later-diagnosed aortic dissection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer, right lung cancer and right lung lobectomy as well as left lung mass due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the U.S.S. Shangri La.

The Veteran's PTSD with history of alcohol and tobacco dependence is rated at 50 percent for accrued benefits purposes only, effective from the date of death (May 2012).

The Veteran's cause of death was not service connected as his lung cancer was not related to in-service asbestos exposure. The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 and 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, and left lung cancer are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for an initial compensable rating for submandible residual scar and an effective date prior to May 14, 2014, for service connection for submandible residual scar are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal squamous cell cancer and lung cancer, which are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues not being addressed as per previous directives and a typographical error in addressing the appellant's letter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ must verify if the USS Coral Sea entered inland waterways or territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles from the shores of Vietnam during the Veteran's time on board.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether asbestos exposure during service caused the Veteran's lung cancer, which was the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lung cancer and diabetes are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. However, the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.