Lung cancer decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer, lung cancer, lymph node cancer, and bone cancer as they are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the reduction in disability evaluation for lung cancer with hematologic and lymphatic involvement from 100% to 10%, effective April 1, 2017, was proper, and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10% for residuals of lung cancer status post lobectomy. The remand is due to the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for an expert medical opinion regarding asbestos exposure. The service connection issues are related, so the SMC issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer is being remanded due to the possibility that his symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in June 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal and lung cancer service connection due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's death certificate lists severe sepsis, aspiration pneumonia, and esophageal cancer stage IV with metastasis to the lungs. A VA examiner found a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus but opined that it was less likely than not caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board requested an additional medical opinion from an oncologist regarding the likelihood of the Veteran's esophageal cancer being related to his presumed in-service contaminated water exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he already has a 100% disability rating and is receiving SMC under the special monthly compensation (SMC) provisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of exposure to mustard gas, herbicides, asbestos exposure, and/or contaminated water due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lung cancer and brain metastases are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his active duty.,The cause of death, which was metastatic primary neoplasm of bronchus left upper lung, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's lung cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cancer, lung cancer, and anemia as secondary to service-connected renal cancer due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of exposure to radioactive isotopes during service.

The Veteran's death was due to lung cancer, which the Board found not related to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for low back disorder (spinal stenosis) was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the in-service injury and the current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, lung nodule (claimed as lung cancer), and left cheek squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as soft tissue carcinoma) all secondary to conceded Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's death was due to small cell lung cancer, presumed to be caused by his service in Vietnam. The appellant submitted a claim for DIC benefits on February 11, 2014, and the effective date of the award is set at that time.

The claim for service connection for cause of death is reopened, but the issue of determining the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer and paraproteinemia remains. The Board has ordered additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer, likely mesothelioma, was caused by his in-service exposure to asbestos. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine fracture and its potential contribution to his cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung cancer are both granted. The decision on the lung cancer claim is pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and diabetes mellitus Type II are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents while serving off the coast of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the appellant was exposed to herbicide agents while in Vietnam, which is necessary for service connection. The VA will need to verify if the ships he served on were within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's tobacco history was the primary cause of his lung cancer and that there was no evidence linking it to military service or exposure.