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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26002760.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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