The Veteran's death from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and obstructive pneumonia was not caused by or related to his military service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, obstructive pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21027305
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 21027305.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death is remanded. The Board needs more information to decide if the Veteran's death was related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied due to the death of the Veteran, making it impossible to complete and comply with all applicable requirements of the program.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bronchiolitis obliterans and obstructive pneumonia, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The lung cancer and brain cancer claims are remanded due to a duty to assist error, and the SMC claim is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding asbestos exposure and service connection for the cause of death. The Veteran's lung cancer is now under review with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
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