The Board has combined the issues into a single service connection claim for a respiratory disorder. The Veteran's service treatment and military personnel records are fire-related and largely unavailable, but he had duties that could have exposed him to asbestos. Further verification of his exposure is needed. A VA examination is required to determine if any current respiratory disorders are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory disorders and his military service, including his in-service duties and potential asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, recurrent pneumonia, lung nodules
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19106437
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lung condition, to include COPD, asbestosis, and bilateral pleural plaques due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his current lung condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to address service connection and rating issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service caused his condition.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asbestosis and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An increased rating to 60 percent was granted effective April 10, 2025.
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