Lung cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lung cancer and service-connected COPD have been granted. The rating for COPD has been increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and information regarding his employment handicap, serious employment handicap, and feasibility of achieving a vocational goal or independent living services.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's service on deep-water naval vessels qualifies him for presumptive exposure to herbicides, including those in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and insufficient exposure information. The Veteran's lung cancer claim is being returned for further development regarding potential herbicide and radiation exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and testicular cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is presumed. The cancers are considered presumptively related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The respiratory disorders claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding exposure and etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is remanded due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of private medical records regarding treatment for a lung condition at Hardin County Medical Center.

The Veteran's heart disability, lung cancer, and small cell lung cancer are all being remanded for further development. The Appellant is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including lung cancer and scarring of the lungs, is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case will be developed further regarding this theory.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and brain cancer, but granted service connection for depression. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for brain cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) contributed to his death. The VA needs to obtain and review the Veteran’s hospice treatment records, conduct further research on chemical exposures, and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings related to his lung cancer and lymph node metastasis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and other environmental hazards during service, which may be related to his lung cancer and secondary brain cancer.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his lung cancer was related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The Veteran served at Udorn RTAFB where he worked around the base perimeter and had regular duties near the base perimeter.

The Veteran's son requested to continue his appeal after the Veteran's death, but the request was submitted more than one year after the Veteran died. The Board dismissed the appeal as it did not have jurisdiction due to the untimely submission of the substitution request.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lung cancer residuals and their impact on his respiratory function.

The Veteran's cause of death, lung cancer, was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lung cancer as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia, finding that the nicotine dependence caused by his schizophrenia contributed to his lung cancer and ultimately led to his death.