The Veteran's death was caused by non-small cell lung cancer, which the Board finds to be related to his service-connected PTSD and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted. However, as DIC benefits are no longer applicable due to the grant of service connection, the appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's non-small cell lung cancer was found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which contributed substantially to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Non-small cell lung cancer, Aspiration pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1701658
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 1701658.
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 determined that there are duty to assist errors in the current decision and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an ILER and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for further development to determine if it was related to in-service TERA exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's non-small cell lung cancer was rated at 100% effective from January 7, 2025. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of the Veteran's cause of death to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his in-service pneumonia and his aspiration pneumonia, as well as whether his TBI caused or contributed to his seizures and Parkinson's disease.
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