Lung cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms worse than a workload from 7 to 10 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.,The effective date for service connection of small cell lung cancer was granted on September 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of squamous cell lung cancer are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there is evidence that it may have improved or worsened since the last VA examination in April 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung cancer and hypoxemia associated with lung cancer due to incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding asbestos exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and its relationship to his cause of death. The appellant is asked to provide information about her husband’s asbestos exposure, and a VA clinician will be requested to review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's exposure to asbestos resulted in a disability that caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting possible exposure to carcinogens during service, including asbestos. The VA examiner will need to determine if this exposure is related to the Veteran's lung cancer.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to a lack of evidence linking lung cancer and atrial fibrillation to his military service or service-connected conditions.,The Board also denied DIC under Section 1318, as there was no established entitlement to such benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete information, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for an addendum medical opinion from a pulmonologist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back condition and lung cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is considered a 'radiation-exposed veteran' based on his participation in Operation Hardtack, an atmospheric nuclear test series conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground in 1958.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, which is linked to the Veteran's service in airborne operations and special forces.,Service connection is also granted for lung pathology including lung cancer and parenchymal/interstitial lung disease, which are associated with asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbosacral/cervical strain, hemorrhoids, prostate disability, and hypertensive vascular disease have been dismissed.,The appeal of the claim of service connection for renal cancer has been granted. The appeal of the claim of service connection for lung cancer (to include as secondary to renal cancer) is pending and remanded.

The appeal for lung cancer, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is dismissed.,Service connection for myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasm, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is granted.,Service connection for strokes or residuals of strokes, as secondary to myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasm, is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for a kidney condition, as secondary to myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasm, is remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer, presumed due to service in Vietnam, is found to be the cause of death. The appellant is granted DIC benefits and their claim for non-service-connected death pension is dismissed as it is considered moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung cancer, brain cancer, hemiplegia of the right lower extremity, and seizures due to potential asbestos exposure during active service.,The claim for service connection for hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung cancer and respiratory disability. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to asbestos during service, but there is no direct evidence linking his current conditions to this exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is not service connected as it did not result from his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or a notation of probable chronic lung disease during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 31, 2015 to June 5, 2019. From June 5, 2019, the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% rating for lung cancer and SMC based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,An earlier effective date of August 20, 2012 has been granted for the grant of service connection for submandible residual scar.