Service connection is granted for degenerative disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, which is linked to the Veteran's service in airborne operations and special forces.,Service connection is also granted for lung pathology including lung cancer and parenchymal/interstitial lung disease, which are associated with asbestos exposure during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s current degenerative disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine is linked to his history of airborne and special forces service, as evidenced by his military records documenting multiple jumps and a VA physician's opinion linking his condition to these activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, Lung pathology including lung cancer and parenchymal/interstitial lung disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21008134
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 21008134.
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
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.