The Board has determined that the Veteran's mesothelioma, which caused his death in 1994, is related to his exposure to asbestos while on board transport ships during World War II. Asbestos was commonly used in military ship construction at that time, and the Veteran spent prolonged periods of time on these ships where he likely encountered asbestos fibers.
The deciding factor: The VA pulmonologist's opinion supported by the Veteran's service personnel records indicates that his mesothelioma is at least as likely as not due to his exposure to asbestos during World War II.
- Claimed conditions
- Mesothelioma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1140190
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 1140190.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and remanded the issue of entitlement to burial benefits. The Board also remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's fatal lung disability was related to service, including asbestos exposure.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, mesothelioma, is related to service due to in-service asbestos exposure. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether this exposure caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Veteran's death is connected to his service-connected mesothelioma, which was caused by asbestos exposure in the Navy. The appellant is therefore entitled to VA burial benefits.
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