The Veteran's squamous cell cancer of the lung with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis resulted in a Diffusion Capacity of the Lung Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) between 40 to 55 percent predicted prior to March 2, 2022. The Board granted an initial rating of 60 percent for this condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DLCO (SB) test results were between 40 to 55 percent predicted in both July 2016 and March 2020, which is right at the low end considered by the 30 percent criteria. The evidence did not reflect a FVC less than 50-percent predicted or DLCO (SB) less than 40-percent predicted.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell cancer of the lung, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2023
- Citation
- A23033278
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 A23033278.
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 Board has granted service connection for anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD) and its associated conditions including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Raynaud's syndrome. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions as they are manifestations of ASSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for pulmonary hypertension and remanded the claims for emphysema and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis to consider additional evidence related to exposure to herbicides and burn pits.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate these claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs additional development regarding whether the Veteran's asthma is related to his service-connected interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, as well as any aggravation or causation by exposure to CS gas during boot camp.
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