The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by an injury or disease incurred during service, nor is it presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for cause of death was denied.
The deciding factor: There was no credible evidence showing in-country service in Vietnam and the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities that could be linked to his lung cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2011
- Citation
- 1119030
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1119030.
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.
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