The Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with asbestos-induced pleural plaques is manifested by a mild disability without significant effect on his total diffusing capacity, and the VA examiners have determined that this condition is primarily due to nonservice-connected emphysema.
The deciding factor: VA examiners opined that the Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with asbestos-induced pleural plaques was predominantly responsible for his limitation of pulmonary function, while his emphysema was the primary cause of his abnormal PFT results and respiratory impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD), Asbestosis-induced pleural plaques, Emphysema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21063708
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 21063708.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus grants service connection for COPD.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as emphysema, but the Board found no causal connection to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including claims related to asbestos exposure and claimed ionizing radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a link between any in-service exposures and the current diagnoses.
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