The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung disease, including obstructive lung disease and pulmonary scarring as a result of exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current respiratory disability was related to service or in-service exposure to asbestos.
The deciding factor: The VA and VHA examiners found no evidence of asbestosis or an asbestosis-related disorder, and the Veteran's lung conditions were inconsistent with asbestosis. The Board also noted inconsistencies between the private physician’s opinions and the medical records, diagnostic testing, and treatment received.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lung disease, obstructive lung disease, pulmonary scarring
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18154970
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 18154970.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed pulmonary conditions, including whether they are related to service exposure. The Veteran is requested to provide an adequate opinion from a clinician.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for obstructive lung disease and denied an earlier effective date, a compensable rating for rhinitis, and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board has granted a TDIU rating prior to April 26, 2011, based on the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective January 1, 2015.,Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these benefits.
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