The Veteran's current respiratory condition, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asthma, is likely related to an inhalation injury sustained during his deployment in Southwest Asia. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether this condition resulted from exposure to pollutants or if it predated his service. As a result, the Veteran is granted eligibility for a special home adaptation grant.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions were in relative equipoise, with one examiner finding the current pulmonary fibrosis likely caused by exposure to pollutants during deployment and another finding it not likely related to any possible exposure to pollutants in Turkey. The Board resolved this in favor of the Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant.
- Claimed conditions
- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21076965
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 21076965.
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.
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The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
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