The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, post-thoracotomy residuals and intercostal neuralgia should be separately rated. The squamous cell carcinoma is rated at 10% based on post-bronchodilator pulmonary function results, while the intercostal neuralgia is rated at 10% under DC 8719.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lung cancer residuals do not meet criteria for a higher rating as per Diagnostic Codes 6819 and 6844. The intercostal neuralgia meets the criteria for a 10% disability rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the long thoracic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, intercostal neuralgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2007
- Citation
- 0739601
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 0739601.
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 Board granted service connection for the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, acknowledging that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding the relationship between the veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his current condition.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for pneumothorax with an effective date of December 30, 2021.,Service connection for intercostal neuralgia was also granted with the same effective date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's lung cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient employment information provided by the Veteran, and further development is needed to clarify dates of employment and request for employment information from American Airlines.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.