bronchogenic carcinoma, oat cell type, left lobe; diffuse metastases, and hemorrhage into left lower space. The autopsy did not include an examination of the veteran’s eyes. A médical doctor reported that during the period that the veteran was under his care he did not know that the veteran had been diagnosed as having macular degeneration. The doctor noted that during his last few weeks the veteran exhibited mental confusion and deterioration. A pathologist noted that the appellant claimed that the veteran was exposed to radiation during service. He expressed the opinion that in view of the nature of the carcinoma, that if CASE NO.14 Type ofInjury: Bronchogenic Carcinomaof the Lung. the veteran were exposed to ionizing radiation in an unusual amount, it would appear a distinct possibility that the radiation exposure constituted an additional factor which could well have been the basis for the later development of bronchogenic carcinoma and the death of the veteran from this BVA's Decision: Denial Affirmed. Date of Decision: 1970. malignancy. Appellant’s Allegation: That radiation to which her husband was exposed while stationed in Japan caused an eye disorder and the lung cancer which resulted in his death. Findings of the BVA and Basis for Decision: \n finding that the record did not Facts: The veteran served on active duty from June 1942 to January 1946, and from March 1949 to March 1961. During hisfirst period of service the veteran The Board has carefully reviewed all the evidence of record in this case. We have specifically searched for evidence to determine whether the veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during his second period of service. From our review of the record, it appears that the veteran was stationed in Korea and Japan between April 1953 and April 1954. - served on active duty within the United States. Service records further showed that the veteran served in Japan and Korea from April 1953 to April 1954. There was no record that the veteran was exposed to radiation during service. Service medical records for this period of one year show that the veteran was treated briefly for pleurisy. On an examination in August 1954 for the purpose of discharge and reenlistment, physical examination was essentially normal. The lungs and chest reported normal, and a chest X-ray was reported negative. Visual acuity was noted to be 20/50, bilaterally, when corrected. His death in December 1968 at the age of 56 was certified as immediately caused by bronchogenic carcinoma,oat cell type, left lobe, with wide-spread metastasis. In 1969 the widow filed a claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran’s death. Medical Evidence: In December 1954, the veteran was examined for complaints of poor visual acuity since July 1954. Diagnostic studies resulted in a diagnosis of macular degeneration, bilaterally, cause undetermined. Physical and X-ray examination of the chest performed at that time was negative. During the remainder of his service the veteran was examined periodically for his eye disorder. No complaints or abnormalities of the chest or lungs were noted during this period, and chest X-rays were normal. The veteran was discharged from service in 1961 for macular degeneration, bilaterally; and for blindness, bilaterally, secondary to the macular degeneration. On examination at discharge, the chest X-ray was reported normal. In 196t, after discharge from service, the veteran was granted service connection for macular degeneration in both eyes. This was evaluated as ninety per cent (90%) disabling from 1962. In September 1968 he was admitted to surgical service and examination warrant a grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran’s death the Board stated in pertinent part: However, the service records do not indicate that he was exposed to radiation during this period. A record of exposure to ionizing radiation does not show that the veteran was ever exposed to radiation, and service medical records are negative for any compiaints or abnormalities indicative of exposure to radiation. It is noted that atomic weapons testing did occur during this period, but that the site of such testing was far removed from Japan or Asia. A further review of the service medical records show several physical and X-ray examinations of the veteran’s chest during service, which were reported normal. On discharge from service, his chest was also normal. A carcinoma of the lung was first found in 1968, approximately 7% years after discharge from service. In the absence of any clinical manifestations of such disability during service and in view of the fact that the veteran was not exposed to radiation during service, the evidence does not establish that the carcinoma which caused the veteran’s death was of service origin. During service the veterandid incur macular degeneration in both eyes, and when he was discharged from service he was granted service connection for this disability. However, the autopsy, althoughit did not contain an examination of the veteran’s eyes, did conclusively establish that the cause of the veteran’s death was the carcinoma of the lung. The macular degeneration of the eyesis not etiologically related to the carcinoma of the fung which caused the veteran’s death, and did not substantially or materially contribute to cause his death. revealed a carcinoma of the lung which had metastasized. After the veteran’s death, an autopsy was performed. 52 Pathological diagnoses included 53