The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between the Veteran's service-connected pleural asbestosis and his death from metastatic lung carcinoma.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions provided clear explanations for the opinions based on a comprehensive review of the Veteran's medical history, pertinent medical literature, and medical expertise. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran's death was attributable to a service-connected disability or that a service-connected disability contributed to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- pleural asbestosis, metastatic lung carcinoma, metastatic mediastinum, primary melanoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23019599
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 23019599.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to any disease or injury in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected pleural asbestosis materially contributed to his metastatic lung carcinoma.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for stomach cancer and its residuals is granted. The rating for pleural asbestosis is remanded, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic lung carcinoma, which is presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to in-service herbicide exposure.
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