Lung cancer decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicide agents during service, and because there was no direct or presumptive service connection for the conditions that caused his death.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to metastatic lung cancer presumed related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's non-small cell lung cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 0%, effective November 1, 2015. The Board has decided this issue is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the current status of his lung cancer.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death. No effective date or rating was assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding herbicide agent and chemical exposure during service at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The RO must request information from appropriate agencies on these exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was caused or aggravated by his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision regarding service connection for lung cancer. They need to provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's lung cancer is related to probable chronic lung disease found during his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for mesothelioma with residuals of lung cancer and pleura surgery should be remanded due to a lack of information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation secondary to radiation treatment for lung cancer and exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ is instructed to develop the claim under the procedures for claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation was caused or worsened by his 1953 exposure to ionizing radiation and subsequent radiation treatment for lung cancer.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal cancer, right lung cancer, and left lung mass as the evidence did not support a link to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's lung cancer is being remanded for further development, including a medical opinion on whether it is primary or metastasized from another site. The claim is also inextricably intertwined with his renal cell carcinoma claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant's claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and death pension benefits were denied due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions and the cause of death claim. The main issues are related to exposure to toxins, asbestos, or radiation during service.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a compensable rating for lung cancer residuals, and TDIU. The issues include determining if hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicide agents, as well as assessing the severity of lung cancer residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and numbness and tingling in arms and legs (diagnosed as bilateral CTS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's dizziness resulting from residual lung cancer is rated at 30 percent, effective December 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new opinion from an oncologist regarding the Veteran's esophageal cancer with metastasis to the lung, specifically related to his presumed in-service contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and diabetes mellitus type II due to ionizing radiation exposure. The remand is required because VA did not obtain accurate records of the Veteran's unit assignment, which could affect his eligibility for benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (small cell lung cancer with asbestosis, esophageal cancer, and left neck scar) prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there was no service-connected disability that caused or contributed to his death, and exposure to herbicide agents during military service cannot be presumed.