The Board has granted service connection for a lung disorder, including non-small cell lung cancer and COPD with cystic fibrosis variant, due to exposure to asbestos during military service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder, upper extremity radiculopathy, neck, and hand disabilities are also granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the lung disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise related to the Veteran's military service due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran provided consistent reports of exposure to asbestos during his service as a high voltage underground runway lighting technician.
- Claimed conditions
- lung disorder, non-small cell lung cancer, COPD with cystic fibrosis variant
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2014
- Citation
- 1449405
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 1449405.
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 appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The claims for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and alcohol use disorder in early remission, as well as non-small cell lung cancer, are now closed.
- Dismissed
Your appeal for service connection for non-small cell lung cancer has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of your appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lung and lumbar spine disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lung disorder and anxiety and delusional disorders render her incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of July 2, 2025. Prior to that date, the evidence does not show she was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to her service-connected disabilities.
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