Lung cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran’s cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, is not considered service-connected as it did not occur during or due to his military service.

The reduction from 100% to 30% disability rating for service-connected residuals of lung cancer, status post partial pneumonectomy, was proper. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board found that his lung cancer was more likely due to smoking rather than exposure to TCE.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for small-cell lung cancer and liver cancer, with a focus on determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to her exposure to secondhand smoke and jet fuel vapors during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to lung cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as the underlying benefit sought (service connection) was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional VA records being added to the claims file since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case, and these records need to be reviewed in conjunction with the current issue on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, lung cancer, and related neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran had lung cancer, which could be related to his service exposure. The VA will seek additional medical records and provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of renal cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM), and lung cancer for additional development. The claims are also remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether these conditions were related to in-service exposure to chemicals.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and lung cancer due to service connection issues. The cause of death claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, an oncocytoma, and ESRD due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed to obtain updated VA treatment records and expert medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and brain cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link to in-service asbestos exposure or smoking.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the primary site of the Veteran's cancer and its relation to service, specifically in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted accrued benefits in the amount of $958.00 for expenses related to the widow's last sickness and burial, as determined by the Appellant and his wife.

The reduction in rating for service-connected residuals of lung cancer from 60 percent to zero percent, effective from February 1, 2016, was improper. The Veteran's disability has been characterized by FEV-1 scores of 40 to 55 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC scores of 40 to 55 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found that his lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and respiratory failure were not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's private hospitalization at ARMC from April 14th-[REDACTED] of 2017 was for nonservice-connected conditions and rendered in a 'medical emergency.' However, the appeal is denied as the claims were not filed within the required 90-day period after the Veteran’s death during his stay.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension as not related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents at Camp Lejeune.,The cause of death claim was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.