The Board found that the original diagnosis of asbestos-related pulmonary disability on which the award of service connection for COPD with emphysema was based was clearly erroneous, and thus severed the award.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show structural changes in the lungs indicative of asbestos exposure, and the Veteran's long history of tobacco use made it less likely that his current condition is related to asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD with emphysema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2012
- Citation
- 1243657
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 1243657.
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 Board has dismissed the appeal as both issues were improperly elected concurrently and no waiver of this prohibition was made.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD with emphysema prior to January 29, 2024, and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the earliest applicable date of claim was September 22, 2022, but entitlement did not arise until April 21, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
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