The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s asbestosis and COPD are due to his in-service exposure, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2020
- Citation
- A20017195
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 A20017195.
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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