Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability to include asthma and shortness of breath, as well as a central nervous system disability to include headaches and tremors, both related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence shows that these disabilities are etiologically related to this exposure.

The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's respiratory and central nervous system disabilities were caused by his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Claimed conditions
respiratory disability (including asthma and shortness of breath), central nervous system disability (including headaches and tremors)
How they argued it
Reopened with new and material evidence
Exposure basis
Camp Lejeune water
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
January 21, 2020
Citation
20004498

Veterans Law Judge

MICHAEL LANE

Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20004498.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.