The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary fibrosis and calcified granulomas did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to November 18, 2015.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical opinions indicated that the Veteran’s symptoms were primarily due to his nonservice-connected COPD rather than his service-connected pulmonary fibrosis and calcified granulomas.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary Fibrosis, Calcified Granulomas
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19161469
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19161469.
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 Veteran's pulmonary disorder is not considered to be related to his service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and its relation to his cause of death. The VA will need to obtain medical records, verify service exposure, and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
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