Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of lung cancer, hypertension, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to clarify the nature and extent of the residuals from the Veteran’s service-connected lung cancer and to determine whether his hypertension is etiologically related to his military service or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, metastatic lung cancer, and renal vein thrombosis due to herbicide exposure. The cases are being returned for further development as medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied. The cause of the Veteran’s death (Pancoast right lung cancer) needs to be further evaluated in light of conceded asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for lung cancer as they need more information and a medical opinion regarding the onset of his condition, its relation to service, and whether it is related to exposure to burn pits during his tours in Iraq.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to military service. The most probative medical opinions determined that the Veteran's lung cancer was not related to asbestos exposure and did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, hypertension, and left wrist disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for COPD was reopened based on new evidence but still not substantiated. Lung cancer is also not supported by the evidence as related to service. Hypertension and left wrist disability are both denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lung cancer, hypertension, or heart attack related to service. The claim for respiratory disorder is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung cancer due to in-service exposure is granted, while her claim for ocular neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's CAD is granted as secondary to the radiation therapy used for his service-connected lung cancer. The Board also found that he was unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from January 19, 2016 to November 1, 2018.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, COPD, and cardiomyopathy. The Board found that the cause of his lung cancer is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung cancer, bone cancer, and cancer of the lymph nodes due to exposure to chemical and/or environmental hazards. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records from Summit Cancer Center in Savannah, Georgia and a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his lung cancer and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination, as well as obtaining all relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD and lung cancer, is found to be related to asbestos exposure during active duty service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune contributed to his fatal cardiopulmonary arrest or caused his lung cancer, which then caused his death.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart condition, all of which the Veteran claimed were caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or time in proximity to Camp Lejeune.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various metastatic cancers and related conditions due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for colon, lung, and brain cancer due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam. The VA will need to verify if the Veteran served in Vietnam and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these cancers.

The Veteran's lung cancer is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to environmental hazards such as a coal power plant while stationed in Bosnia and widespread diesel fuel exposure throughout his career in the signal corps.

The Veteran's cause of death, lung cancer, is not related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.