The Board finds that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung is etiologically related to his tobacco use during active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows a current disability (squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs) and establishes that it was caused by nicotine dependence acquired in service, which may be considered the proximate cause of the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2003
- Citation
- 0305689
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0305689.
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: 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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