The Veteran was at least as likely as not exposed to asbestos in service, and the weight of the competent evidence is in relative equipoise on the question of whether his respiratory disability manifested by pulmonary asbestosis is related to the in-service asbestos exposure. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran, his respiratory disability is due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in a state of relative equipoise in showing that the Veteran's pulmonary asbestosis is as likely as not due to asbestos exposure during active duty service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2011
- Citation
- 1141890
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 1141890.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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