The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis and remanded the issue of service connection for a neurological disability of the lower extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy). The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of asbestosis, but his subjective sensory symptoms are consistent with small fiber neuropathy. The Board requested an addendum opinion to determine if these symptoms are related to military service and herbicide agent exposure.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no conclusive evidence of asbestosis in the Veteran's medical records or examination results, and concluded that any current respiratory condition is not attributable to service. For the neurological disability claim, the addendum opinion was requested to determine if the Veteran's subjective sensory symptoms are manifestations of small fiber neuropathy related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, neurological disability of the lower extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20039675
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20039675.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's asbestosis disability is rated at 100% from December 2, 2024 to January 16, 2026. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis with pleural plaques and vascular dementia as secondary to asbestosis with pleural plaques due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's asbestosis was granted an increased rating of 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.
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