Lung cancer Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infection due to lung cancer. The appellant contends this is related to his military service at Camp Lejeune, but VA cannot presume a connection under law for lung cancer. A medical opinion is needed to determine if there is any direct causation.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran was exposed to environmental and chemical hazards while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. If exposure is found, a medical opinion will be obtained to assess whether such exposure caused his lung cancer.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, which led to his death in February 2011, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death as a result of in-service asbestos exposure and herbicide agent exposure is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to DDT during service in Vietnam and to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether such exposure caused his fatal pancreatic cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the timing of his lung cancer recurrence and whether any prior respiratory symptoms were attributable to benign neoplasms. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore grants service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer as presumptively related to such exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death in August 2007, was not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The cause of death is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer was not related to service, including any possible asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the lung cancer is due to tobacco use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by non-small cell lung cancer, which is at least as likely as not due to asbestos exposure during his naval service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to service, including as a result of exposure to asbestos. Therefore, the claim for service connection for lung cancer was denied.

The Veteran died from metastatic small cell lung cancer, but the evidence does not support a finding that his death was caused by service-connected conditions or exposure to herbicides. The Board therefore denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lung cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or intent to apply for benefits before August 19, 2014. The earliest possible effective date has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, was not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a nexus between the Veteran's military service and his lung cancer. While the Veteran had PTSD, there is no evidence to support that it caused him to smoke cigarettes which led to his lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is not related to service, including as due to chemical exposure. The claim for service connection for lung cancer is therefore denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer is presumed to be service connected due to his exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and chemical, biological or radiation exposure during service. The cause of death is being evaluated on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, a collapsed lung, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities as secondary to asbestos exposure. Service connection was denied for respiratory disorder (including COPD and emphysema) and neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for cause of death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange and the relationship between his lung cancer and service.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The issues of skin cancer, lung cancer, and cause of death are now inextricably intertwined.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA opinions provided no evidence linking these conditions to service.