The Board denied the claim as there was no competent evidence showing that the causes of death, cardiovascular disease and pulmonary fibrosis, were related to service. The expert medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's respiratory illness and death were not caused by or a result of his asbestos exposure during military service.
The deciding factor: The expert medical opinion found that the Veteran did not suffer from asbestosis prior to his death and that his respiratory illness was not caused by his in-service asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiovascular disease, Pulmonary fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1139077
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1139077.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran did not meet the qualifications for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including claims related to asbestos exposure and claimed ionizing radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a link between any in-service exposures and the current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the severity of his back scars, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and SMC based on aid and attendance.
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