The veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, mesothelioma, a lung condition secondary to surgical clamps and wire in the lung, or a heart condition secondary to the service-connected lung disease were denied. The veteran's inactive pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be inactive since 1952 with no current active disease, warranting a 10% disability rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a diagnosis of asbestosis or mesothelioma and there was no objective evidence linking the veteran's current lung condition to his service. The VA examination found that the veteran's vocal chord paralysis and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis were adequately compensated by their respective ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung condition (secondary to surgical clamps and wire in the lung), heart condition (secondary to service-connected lung disease or alternatively, secondary to retained surgical clamps and wire in the left lung), inactive pulmonary tuberculosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0206882
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 0206882.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's asbestosis disability is rated at 100% from December 2, 2024 to January 16, 2026. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis with pleural plaques and vascular dementia as secondary to asbestosis with pleural plaques due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's asbestosis was granted an increased rating of 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.
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