Service connection for asbestosis is granted.,Service connection for cause of death due to asbestosis is granted.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to asbestos exposure is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for kidney failure due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for heart condition is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's asbestosis was related to in-service exposure to asbestos, and the death certificate lists asbestosis as a significant condition contributing to his death.,The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis substantially contributed to his death.,Exposure to asbestos is conceded. The examiner must address whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was related to active service or caused by military service, considering in-service exposure and the Veteran's history of heart conditions.,The appellant provided articles indicating that Agent Orange was used and/or stored at Guam and Okinawa. VA needs to verify this exposure before determining if it should be considered for service connection.,Exposure to herbicide agents is claimed but not verified. The AOJ must complete the necessary development to determine whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.,The examiner must address whether the heart condition preexisted service and, if so, whether it was aggravated by military service or related to active service.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart condition, diabetes, kidney failure
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2022
- Citation
- 22014494
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 22014494.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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