The Board found that the veteran does not have interstitial lung disease as a result of exposure to asbestos during active service and his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis were not present during service or for many years thereafter and there is no causal link between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any current respiratory disorder related to asbestos exposure or service, and the veteran's lung disease was more likely due to smoking rather than service.
- Claimed conditions
- Interstitial lung disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2003
- Citation
- 0333961
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 0333961.
What this means for you
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- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as emphysema, but the Board found no causal connection to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus grants service connection for COPD.
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