The Veteran's death was caused by hypoxia due to malignant pleural effusion, anaplastic lung cancer and tobacco abuse. The Board found that the cause of his death was not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA expert opinion found that the Veteran’s lung cancer was less likely than not related to his military service, including possible exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune.
- Claimed conditions
- hypoxia, malignant pleural effusion, anaplastic lung cancer, tobacco abuse
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19153194
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19153194.
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 Veteran's diffused large B-cell lymphoma stage 4 disability is related to service exposure, and secondary disabilities such as malignant pleural effusion, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gout, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and persistent depressive disorder are also related to this primary condition.,The Veteran's diffused large B-cell lymphoma stage 4 disability is a direct result of service exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia (claimed as asbestosis), are related to his service exposure. However, due to potential additional exposures during civilian employment, a remand is required for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of the cause of the Veteran's death to obtain a TERA-specific opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's military service, including presumed exposure to burn pits, and his causes of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically related to in-service radiation exposure and its potential link to lung conditions.
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