The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lung disorder, oral cancer, or soft tissue sarcoma that is attributable to his military service. The Veteran's current respiratory condition (COPD) and oral cancer are not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides or bacteria.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records do not support the Veteran’s claims of a lung disorder, oral cancer, or soft tissue sarcoma due to service-connected conditions. The COPD is attributed to smoking history rather than service connection factors.
- Claimed conditions
- lung disorder, oral cancer, soft tissue sarcoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2014
- Citation
- 1415187
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 1415187.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, soft tissue sarcoma, and hypertension. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is presumed due to his service in Thailand with the 18 Organizational Maintenance Squadron (PACAF).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma, but denied service connection for soft tissue sarcoma. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lung and lumbar spine disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lung disorder and anxiety and delusional disorders render her incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of July 2, 2025. Prior to that date, the evidence does not show she was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to her service-connected disabilities.
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