The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic small cell lung cancer, which the private examiner concluded was at least as likely as not due to his asbestos exposure during active duty service. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion supports a finding that the Veteran’s asbestos exposure contributed to his development of small cell lung cancer, leading to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic small cell lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18123857
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 18123857.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic small cell lung cancer, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure. The Appellant's original DIC claim would have been allowed if the PACT Act had been in effect at the time of filing. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for metastatic small cell lung cancer, liver metastases of primary lung cancer, and osseous and hepatic metastases of lung cancer on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is granted effective June 1, 2019, based on service connection for the cause of death due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Udorn RTAFB.
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