The Board finds that the Veteran's death from metastatic small cell carcinoma was caused by his service-connected lung cancer, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a finding that the primary site of the metastatic cancer was in the lungs, and given the presumptive service connection for lung cancer based on herbicide exposure, the Board concludes that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected lung cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic small cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0940096
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 0940096.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, as there was no evidence to support a finding that his cardiopulmonary arrest, metastatic brain disease, or metastatic small cell carcinoma were related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, metastatic small cell carcinoma, was not caused or contributed substantially to his death by any disability incurred in service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic small cell carcinoma, basal cell cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer in situ as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The cancers were not found to be related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
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.