The veteran's lung cancer and liver/bone metastasis are presumed to be due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service in Japan. His left knee replacement is granted a rating of 30 percent for purposes of payment of accrued benefits.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lung cancer was found to be consistent with bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, which is presumptively service-connected due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service in Japan. The left knee replacement claim was granted as a matter of law since the condition was already service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- cancer of the lungs, metastasis to the liver and bone
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 19, 2001
- Citation
- 0101533
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 0101533.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and did not have its onset during service. The expert opinion concluded that the Veteran's cold injuries did not contribute to or accelerate his fatal lung cancer.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to whether the deceased's character of discharge from military service is a bar to VA benefits, as well as claims for service connection for lung cancer and brain cancer. The appeal will be reconsidered after addressing the issue of substitution.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was determined to be due to cancer of the lungs, which is presumed service-connected based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise and granted DIC benefits.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was caused by cancer of the lungs, but his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his cause of death. The Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not have a total disability rating for at least ten years prior to his death.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.