The Veteran's cause of death is granted, with the Board finding that his interstitial lung disease was at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to asbestos or trichloroethylene (TCE), and contributed to his death from chronic respiratory failure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's interstitial lung disease was related to in-service exposure to asbestos or TCE, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Interstitial lung disease, Chronic respiratory failure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19155524
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 19155524.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of interstitial lung disease, and the appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeal for service connection of interstitial lung disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The case will not be reconsidered until a new claimant is found eligible.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by interstitial lung disease, which is presumed to be related to his service-connected exposure to Agent Orange. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of interstitial lung disease and lung nodules to obtain a clarifying medical opinion, as the previous VA examination was found to be inadequate.
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