The Veteran's cause of death, pulmonary fibrosis, is found to be related to his exposure to biomass fuels during active service. The claim for the cause of death has been granted.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Veteran’s pulmonary fibrosis was most likely a result of exposure to biomass fuels during service and grants the claim for the cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022274
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 20022274.
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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% evaluation for COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis as of July 27, 2023, due to improper reduction from September 1, 2025.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, memory loss, and hearing loss are dismissed. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is granted under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board found that the grant of service connection for pulmonary fibrosis was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, but also noted conflicting medical opinions regarding its cause. Service connection is restored.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent for COPD and associated conditions, including chronic pulmonary hypertension, from the date she filed her claim in April 2018.
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.