Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the current appeals as they have become moot.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left hand and/or right hand disability.

The Veteran's hypertension, which began in service and contributed to his death, is granted for service connection. The Appellant is denied death pension benefits due to her net worth exceeding the limit. Accrued benefits are also denied as no pending claims existed at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lung cancer and cause of death due to exposure to herbicides, as they are not satisfied with previous development and need further verification.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for coronary artery disease status post CABG prior to July 10, 2012 is denied. From July 10, 2012 to October 31, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 60% evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Veteran's increased evaluation in excess of 60% for this condition from November 1, 2017 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lung cancer, which was not related to his guerilla service. The Board also denied non-service connected death pension benefits because the Veteran did not have qualifying service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lung cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to Agent Orange while stationed at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with previous instructions regarding asbestos exposure during service. The Veteran's appeal will be returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied his claims for benefits based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The decision found that lung cancer was not related to active duty service, and that the appellant did not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, headaches, and skin disability are all granted. The grants are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure during service, finding reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant's account and awarding presumptive service connection under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

The Veteran's lung cancer and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are both granted service connection. The rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist is increased to 10%. The rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the right wrist remains at 10%.

The Veteran's non-small cell lung cancer was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,VA treatment records show the Veteran was not suspected of having any type of cancer until 2008 when she underwent a thyroidectomy for suspected carcinoma. A January 2013 biopsy found non-small cell carcinoma in the left lung.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for lung cancer and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ due to insufficient medical opinions regarding in-service exposure to hazardous substances.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer and PTSD due to potential combat exposure in Vietnam. Additional efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's reported reassignment and location of his unit between March 1969 and March 1970.

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no effective date prior to November 1, 2012, for service connection of lung cancer and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is granted.

The Veteran's lung condition, claimed as lung cancer, is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner found the lung nodule to be benign and not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether it was caused by in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his COPD and pneumonia are related to service or if his lung cancer contributed to his death.

The appeal for service connection of lung cancer and prostate cancer is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.