The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to nicotine dependence, which caused him to smoke and ultimately led to cancer of the larynx. The claim is granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran became nicotine dependent during military service, leading to his smoking habit and subsequent cancer of the larynx.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine dependence, Cancer of the larynx
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0209544
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 0209544.
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: Granted
The Veteran's cancer of the larynx residuals are rated at a 30% since July 23, 2014. The claim is granted for this period.
- 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.
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