The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infection due to lung cancer. The appellant contends this is related to his military service at Camp Lejeune, but VA cannot presume a connection under law for lung cancer. A medical opinion is needed to determine if there is any direct causation.
The deciding factor: VA cannot presume a connection between the Veteran's lung cancer and toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune due to insufficient evidence, but a direct causation can still be considered.
- Claimed conditions
- Myocardial infection, Lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1731307
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 1731307.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's headache disability is granted as service-connected. The left foot condition and lung cancer claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his lung cancer and military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for lung cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Board must obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer, which was service-connected as a result of contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation during his service. The AOJ is required to seek records from U.S. Army Medical Command for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation at various locations including Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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