Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for spinal stenosis and lung cancer, secondary to asbestos exposure have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The claim for service connection for lung cancer, for purposes of accrued benefits, is referred back for further action.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or in-service exposures. The cause of death was attributed to bronchopneumonia and carcinoma of the lung.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, small cell lung cancer, and leukoplakia of the true vocal cords were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional action is required to obtain VA treatment records from prior to December 2013, and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death will be remanded.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is being remanded due to a lack of medical nexus evidence linking the cause of death to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his lung cancer to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam or Thailand.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and degenerative joint disease of the entire body were not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of asbestosis or any related lung disorder in the Veteran’s records. The claim for asbestosis was denied.,Periodontal disease was already service-connected, so a new claim for it was denied.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle edema was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded cases for further investigation regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving at McChord Air Force Base from June 1964 to January 1965.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis and metastatic squamous cell lung cancer, which were not related to his service. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure, given his service at the Korat Air Base in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to lung cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board also found that exposure to herbicide agents during service could not be presumed as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer and prostate cancer as they are related to exposure to radiation, herbicide agents, and other environmental hazards during service. Further development is needed to assess the Veteran's exposure and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides while serving on a ship within the territorial seas of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's marital status and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, lung cancer, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for posttraumatic stress disorder. Lung cancer was denied as there was no current diagnosis or link to service. Hepatitis A and B were denied due to lack of a current disability. Hepatitis C was denied based on the absence of any exposure or antibodies.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death prior to the issuance of an appellate decision.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving on the USS Newport News, which may affect his claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's lung cancer is not service connected as it did not develop during his honorable period of service and there is no evidence linking the condition to exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune.