The Veteran's mesothelioma and asbestosis were not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of mesothelioma during service, despite the Veteran's exposure to asbestos. As for asbestosis, while there was occupational exposure after service, it did not meet the criteria for service connection.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that neither condition was related to service and thus could not be granted service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- mesothelioma, asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132729
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 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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