Lung cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, but the service connection for the cause of death is being remanded due to incomplete military personnel records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer and lobectomy, as well as service connection for COPD, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned due to inadequate opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's COPD and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to service, specifically environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The claim is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Korat RTAFB in Thailand is presumed. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's lung cancer is not service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure, and the Board denied DIC based on service connection for the cause of death.,DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was also denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and has determined that the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his smoking, which in turn caused his acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, metastatic lung cancer, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that these conditions were related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, acid reflux, and partial removal of colon due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer, brain cancer, hemiplegia of the lower extremities, and seizures due to lack of evidence confirming asbestos exposure during service. The appellant's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was related to his conceded herbicide exposure during service. The VA is requested to obtain an additional opinion on this matter.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and prostate cancer, both of which were diagnosed after the Veteran's death. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's lung cancer to his military service. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a known risk factor for lung cancer (smoking), and thus, his lung cancer is less likely related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and lung cancer, including as secondary to colon cancer. The remand requires additional development regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of radiation exposure during service and insufficient medical opinion to link the conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce his disability rating for lung cancer residuals from 100% to 30% has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a jurisdictional defect, and the appellant is entitled to further review by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypothyroidism and lung cancer due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's cause of death, medullary failure due to hypoxia, due to lung cancer, was not related to his military service and therefore denied for service connection.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a pulmonary disability (COPD and lung cancer).

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are being remanded for further review due to the sufficiency of the rationale provided in a previous VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's larynx cancer and lung cancer residuals do not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.