The Veteran's death was caused by small cell lung cancer, which is presumed to be due to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides. The effective date for DIC benefits and Chapter 35 eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance has been set at November 1, 1991.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's death was caused by small cell lung cancer, which is a covered herbicide disease recognized as presumptively service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The effective date for the awards of DIC and Chapter 35 eligibility is set at the date of the Veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- small cell lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1624724
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 1624724.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for small cell lung cancer, for purposes of accrued benefits, due to a duty to assist error and statutory or regulatory duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, including small cell lung cancer and coronary artery disease, was related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The VA must obtain an adequate opinion from a clinician.
- Granted
The Board grants an earlier effective date of March 24, 2023, for the awards of service connection for lung cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer.
- Granted
The Board granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to small cell lung cancer, and awarded DIC benefits from October 20, 2016.
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.