The Board denied service connection for pulmonary fibrosis associated with asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence was insufficient to establish a 50% likelihood of a causal link between the condition and service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not reach relative equipoise on the question of nexus to service due to limitations in current scientific knowledge regarding the cause of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102075
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis as these conditions were not related to the Veteran's service, including his exposure to Agent Orange.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis were rated at 50 percent effective September 3, 2020. The Veteran was also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits from the same date.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorders, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current respiratory conditions to his service-connected left lower lung pneumothorax disability or to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claims.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.