The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-small cell lung cancer, finding that there was no direct or causal connection between his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. The Board gave more weight to the opinion of a VA examiner who stated that the Veteran's significant history of smoking was the most significant risk factor for his development of lung cancer.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a direct or causal connection between the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his non-small cell lung cancer, as there was no established presumption of exposure to contaminants like arsenic. The Board found that the Veteran's history of heavy smoking was the most significant risk factor for his development of lung cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- non-small cell lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23050336
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 23050336.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The claims for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and alcohol use disorder in early remission, as well as non-small cell lung cancer, are now closed.
- Dismissed
Your appeal for service connection for non-small cell lung cancer has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of your appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for cause of death to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 17, 1968 for the establishment of service connection for TBI and headaches, and granted service connection for cause of death.
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