The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC benefits were not met. The Board denied both claims.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding that PTSD caused the Veteran to use tobacco products or that lung cancer was caused by PTSD-driven cigarette smoking.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell lung carcinoma (lung cancer), recurrent urinary tract infection
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26002760
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 A26002760.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is attributed to rectal cancer with lung metastasis and associated complications.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 4, 2016 for a 30% evaluation for service-connected uterine fibroids. The issues of a rating in excess of 40 percent for recurrent UTI and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's genitourinary disorders, including hypospadias. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's congenital defect was subject to or aggravated by a superimposed disease or injury during service and to identify any other identified disabilities related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation of prostatectomy residuals and TDIU due to lack of VA treatment records and inadequate notice regarding TDIU requirements.
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