The Board denied DIC based on claimed service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lung cancer, which was not caused by any incident of service. The veteran's service-connected bilateral pterygium did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.
The deciding factor: Lung cancer began many years after service and was not caused by any incident of service.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2002
- Citation
- 0214414
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 0214414.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's lung cancer is primary or metastatic from his oral cavity, and if it is metastatic, to determine its etiology related to in-service herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lung disability, including squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and residual scarring of the right lung, is presumed to be related to his military herbicide exposure. The Veteran's right lung residual scars are also considered secondary to his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs status post right lower lobe lobectomy, and has remanded to determine service connection for residuals of lung cancer.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and potential herbicide exposure during service, as well as his service in Vietnam. The case will be reviewed again with these issues addressed.
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