The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, is not service-connected as there is no evidence associating it with his active service or any service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence associating the Veteran's fatal adenocarcinoma of the lung with potential exposure to asbestos or the Veteran's active service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0939553
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 0939553.
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 determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his exposure to environmental toxins at Fort Riley and/or Fort Lewis, including herbicides, pesticides, or other toxic chemicals during his active-duty service. The AOJ must obtain further research and provide a VA clinician with the necessary information to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's lung cancer and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, which were presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected obstructive lung disease, breathing problems, and chronic cough contributed to his death from lung cancer. The decision grants service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, is determined to be related to his in-service exposure to radiation. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on presumptive service connection due to radiation exposure.
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.