The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and asbestosis, due to in-service asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a relationship between his current respiratory disability and active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that there was no established link between the Veteran’s current respiratory disability (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis) and active service or any incident of service, including in-service treatment for acute bronchitis and upper respiratory infection during his second period of active USCG service.
- Claimed conditions
- interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066478
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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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