The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral interstitial fibrotic changes in the lungs, pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis due to exposure to asbestos. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking the current respiratory disability to service or to an incident of service origin, including claimed exposure to asbestos.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's lung condition was not likely caused by his two years on active duty, including any exposure to asbestos.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral interstitial fibrotic changes in the lungs, pneumoconiosis, asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2004
- Citation
- 0413468
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 0413468.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lung condition, to include COPD, asbestosis, and bilateral pleural plaques due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his current lung condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to address service connection and rating issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service caused his condition.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asbestosis and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An increased rating to 60 percent was granted effective April 10, 2025.
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