The Veteran's lung disease, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. However, the Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure as there are no diseases associated with such exposure listed for pulmonary fibrosis. The Veteran's lung disease may still be service connected on a direct basis if it is determined to have had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any incident of service, including exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: Pulmonary fibrosis was not included in the list of diseases associated with herbicide agent exposure. Therefore, service connection cannot be established on a presumptive basis despite presumed exposure to herbicides during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lung disease, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19152702
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,977 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19152702.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings for lung disease and residuals of esophageal cancer as moot because the Veteran was already in receipt of the highest possible ratings for these conditions, which are in effect for the entirety of the appeal period. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at a higher level based on need for aid and assistance due to the Veteran's condition prior to his passing is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that the evidence submitted tends to disprove a link between his current condition and active service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's lung disease is granted as service-connected due to asbestos exposure during service. The Veteran's coronary artery disease claim is remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by radiation, but the cause of his hematuria and prostate cancer is under review. The Board finds that VA did not obtain a proper medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service asbestos exposure and the Veteran's death.
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