The Board finds that the cause of the veteran's death, nonsmall cell lung cancer, was not caused or substantially contributed to by his service-connected tuberculosis. The appellant has presented evidence suggesting a possible link between prior tuberculosis and increased susceptibility to lung cancer, but this is outweighed by the clinical evidence indicating no such relationship.
The deciding factor: The Board concludes that the veteran's long-term cigarette smoking was the primary cause of his nonsmall cell lung cancer, which developed in 2001. The inactive tuberculosis from service did not contribute substantially or materially to the development of the lung cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- Nonsmall cell lung cancer, Tuberculosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2006
- Citation
- 0605714
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and tuberculosis, granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, and granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pulmonary fibrosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date, a higher disability rating for PTSD, and entitlement to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation. The claim of service connection for tuberculosis was remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder and tuberculosis, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.
- Granted
The claim for service connection for tuberculosis has been granted. The claims for other disabilities remain pending.
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