The Board denied service connection for lower back strain with pain, as the evidence did not establish a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis is not presumed due to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for asbestosis, as there is no diagnosis related to asbestos exposure during service and no current diagnosis of asbestosis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service. The VA examiner concluded that his degenerative arthritis was more likely secondary to age rather than service-connected back strain.,There is no evidence of asbestosis during service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain with pain, asbestosis, right hand with traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2021
- Citation
- A21016399
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 A21016399.
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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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