The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence submitted. The proximate cause of the veteran's death was determined to be nicotine dependence acquired in service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions indicate that the veteran developed squamous cell lung carcinoma, which is believed to have been caused by his long-term tobacco use during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine dependence, Squamous cell lung carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2001
- Citation
- 0112410
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 0112410.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and nicotine dependence, but granted ratings for left knee limitations in flexion, extension, and patellar instability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions were denied in the April 2020 rating decision. The Board is denying these claims based on finality of the decision and lack of new evidence or arguments.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability due to additional development being required. The VA examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether any of the diagnosed disabilities were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service, including his service-connected low back disability and opioid use disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and dysthymia, is currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.
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