The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during his military service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and his service.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the presence of calcified pleural plaques in imaging studies which are diagnostic of asbestosis, despite earlier findings of mild perihilar bronchitis that were not related to asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20008307
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.
- 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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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.