The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer is presumptively linked to his exposure to ionizing radiation during active naval service.
The deciding factor: The veteran participated in a nuclear test and performed official military duties related to aircraft used in direct support of such testing, which qualifies him for presumed service connection under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0204993
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204993.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's headache disability is granted as service-connected. The left foot condition and lung cancer claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his lung cancer and military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for lung cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Board must obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer, which was service-connected as a result of contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation during his service. The AOJ is required to seek records from U.S. Army Medical Command for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation at various locations including Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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