Lung cancer decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, and coronary artery disease due to a lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the relationship between in-service exposure and the Veteran's lung cancer.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been granted. The claims for service connection for lung cancer and tremors affecting the bilateral hands are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the Veteran's lung cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, cause of death, and DIC claims. The focus is on whether these conditions are related to service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the etiology and nature of the Veteran's lung cancer, metastatic malignant melanoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma. The VA examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's exposure to herbicides directly caused his cancers, contributed to his death, or was a cause or contributing factor.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 29, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU for the periods from April 29, 2015 to June 9, 2016 and from August 1, 2018 to May 20, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not considering the possibility of a TDIU based solely on his service-connected lobectomy, which could potentially entitle him to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for additional evidence regarding service connection for sarcoidosis and lung cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 27, 2019 and from February 1, 2021 to May 12, 2021. His TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a VA examination. The VA will schedule him for an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected respiratory disability, including pulmonary function testing (PFT).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the increased rating claim for status post lung cancer before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast and lung cancer have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and kidney cancer are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lung cancer results in loss of use of the upper extremities, meeting the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer and brain cancer, as well as TDIU, due to pending development from a U.S. Army Public Health Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and cause of death due to service-connected disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his lung cancer to in-service exposure or service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 12, 2018. The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of November 2, 2012 is warranted for both awards.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and bladder cancer, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits due to the Veteran's lung cancer death, finding that the claim was not timely filed and no retroactive award is warranted.