The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed.,Service connection for the respiratory disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), granted based on exposure to asbestos during service. The low back disability claim was also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his claims for neck and right ear hearing loss disabilities prior to a decision being made.,Service connection is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether the respiratory disability, including COPD, is related to service exposure to asbestos.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"neck disability","issue_number":1}, {"condition_name":"right ear hearing loss disability","issue_number":2}, {"condition_name":"respiratory disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)","issue_number":3}, {"condition_name":"low back disability","issue_number":4}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071686
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 service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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.