The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of ILD to include diffuse interstitial fibrosis is at least as likely as not related to his recurrent in-service respiratory issues, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s contentions regarding exposure to mustard gas, asbestos, mold, kerosene, and diesel ethanol during military service were credible and supported by medical evidence showing a history of respiratory issues prior to his current diagnosis of ILD.
- Claimed conditions
- Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20015090
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ILD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service or was related to any in-service injury, event, or disease. For ILD, the PFT results showed FVC at 74% and DLCO (SB) at 64%, post-bronchodilator, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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