The Board has determined that the Veteran served on a ship operating in Vietnam's inland waters, presumptively exposing him to herbicides. The cause of death was attributed to respiratory failure due to lung cancer. However, it is unclear whether the lung cancer originated in his lungs or metastasized from another site. A medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's fatal cancer is directly related to service and Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a medical opinion was needed to determine the primary site of the Veteran's cancer, as well as its relationship to service and Agent Orange exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- lung cancer, head and neck cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2012
- Citation
- 1233472
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 1233472.
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.
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- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Dismissed
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- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, pancreatitis, stroke, and left arm weakness (claimed as secondary to stroke) based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or due to in-service exposure.
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