Lung cancer decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of lung cancer, attributing it to his long history of tobacco use and non-service-related occupational exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and associated diabetic polyneuropathy of multiple extremities due to potential exposure during service in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are related to such exposures.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, specifically lung cancer, due to asbestos and PCE exposure. The cause of death is also granted as the Veteran's lung cancer was related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of lung cancer, status post lobectomy, need to be re-evaluated due to possible worsening since the last examination in October 2017. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic lung cancer, finding no evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for perforation of the right tympanic membrane. The issues of service connection for lung cancer, bone cancer, and cause of death are remanded due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer was not caused by service, including his spontaneous pneumothorax or exposure to asbestos. As a result, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lung cancer is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and whether it was caused or aggravated by asbestosis.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, is not considered to be service-connected.

The Board has vacated the May 2021 decision denying service connection for lung cancer, brain cancer, loss of hair, balance issues in lower extremities, blood clots, and hand coordination. The VA examiner determined that exposure to ionizing radiation did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's terminal metastatic lung cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposures to asbestos and herbicide agents.,The cause of death is also granted, with the Board concluding that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was a primary cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional development regarding his National Guard service and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and neurobehavioral effects claimed to be due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer and brain cancer due to asbestos exposure, requiring a new VA medical opinion to reconcile the Veteran's assertions with the previous negative opinion.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status from October 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015 due to his service-connected terminal lung cancer. However, he was not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound prior to October 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for lung cancer and entitlement to a TDIU. Specifically, additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's lung cancer was incurred in service or related to his exposure to chemicals like red lead, paint fumes, and chaff particles.

The Veteran's lung disability, which includes lung cancer and a right upper lobectomy, is rated at 30 percent prior to August 16, 2021. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on moderate symptoms with FEV-1 percentage of 55 percent and FEV-1/FVC percentage of 71 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, emphysema, COPD, and residuals of right lung lobectomy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's long history of smoking is considered more likely the cause of her respiratory disabilities.

The Board has denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of death due to lung cancer and emphysema, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and that the Veteran's conditions were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung cancer and bone cancer, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient development regarding radiation exposure, potential secondary service connection between lung and bone cancers, and a lack of adequate examination addressing hearing loss.