The Veteran's service-connected pleural fibrosis did not render him unemployable prior to October 20, 2017. The Board found that his other nonservice-connected conditions prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected pleural fibrosis alone was insufficient to render him unemployable during the relevant period due to the presence of other nonservice-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining employment.
- Claimed conditions
- pleural fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23025103
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 23025103.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to separate compensation for shortness of breath and rib pain associated with service-connected pleural fibrosis, as well as the issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's respiratory conditions are currently rated at 50 percent combined. Additional development is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his service-connected conditions, as well as to determine whether he is unemployable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment, and for consideration of all his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleural plaques and pleural fibrosis, claimed as breathing problems due to asbestos is remanded for further development including obtaining private treatment records from a pulmonologist.
- Denied
The Veteran's pleural fibrosis was not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The Board denied the claim for service connection.
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