Lung cancer Board decisions

The Veteran's lung disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and smoking history.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cancers, including esophageal cancer and lung cancer, which are linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including seeking an opinion regarding the etiology of his COPD and non-small cell lung cancer.

The Veteran's claim for accrued benefits based on service connection for prostate, lung and brain cancer due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development as the appellant wishes to determine how her claim should be construed.

The Board has determined that the appellant is eligible for death pension benefits but her income exceeds the threshold amount. The case is REMANDED to clarify and verify the appropriate amounts of the appellant's income from various sources.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 100% to 30% for left upper lobectomy status post lung cancer was proper. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating since June 1, 2008 is denied as his COPD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's colon, liver, and lung cancers are granted service connection as they are related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that lung cancer was caused by cigarette smoking and not related to service. The other causes of death (post-obstructive pneumonia and cardiopulmonary arrest) were also deemed unrelated to service.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastasized lung cancer, is denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lung cancer and other respiratory conditions are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct, and at the time of his death he had service-connected disabilities that were continuously rated totally disabling for less than 10 years prior to his death. Therefore, the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are not met.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's left knee disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year after discharge and no medical opinion linking the condition to service. Service connection for lung cancer is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected asbestos-related lung cancer, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for lung cancer, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence that his service-connected lung or prostate cancers were the cause of his fatal pancreatic cancer.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease, including no chronic in-service symptoms of disability of the kidney, skin, eyes, or lungs. The Veteran was not exposed to ionizing radiation during service and there is no competent medical opinion linking his current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability, status post right thoracotomy, residual of lung cancer, is rated at 60 percent from June 7, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, COPD, and renal cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Veteran is presumed to have developed lung cancer as a result of his in-service herbicide exposure, which was linked to his duties at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. As a result, the Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lung cancer was granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes effective from February 23, 2012. The claim was received in February 2012 and the date of entitlement arose in February 2011.