The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support the claim of nicotine dependence or tobacco use in service causing his death.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish that the veteran's lung cancer was caused by smoking during service or that he became nicotine dependent during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lung cancer, generalized anxiety disorder, frostbite
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 28, 2000
- Citation
- 0017056
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0017056.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected chronic fatigue and weakness due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer is granted, with an evaluation of 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer from May 1, 2005 is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's chilblain and frostbite of the bilateral hand and fingers were granted service connection as they are related to his active military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lung cancer and its relationship to service, including any in-service granuloma.
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