The Board has restored a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected asbestosis, effective February 1, 2019, finding that there was no actual improvement in the condition and that the Veteran's symptoms had worsened.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed conflicting findings regarding whether the Veteran's asbestosis had improved. The July 2019 private pulmonology examination report indicated a DLCO of 55 percent predicted, consistent with a 60 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2020
- Citation
- A20017418
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 A20017418.
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 Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of August 26, 2010 for the award of a 30 percent evaluation for COPD, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis, while remanding a claim for service connection for coronary artery disease.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a compensable rating for asbestosis.
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.