The Veteran's service connection claim for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) with concomitant obstructive lung disease is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of IPF and his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam supports a finding of causation, leading to an award of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's IPF was found to be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Obstructive Lung Disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23050685
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23050685.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other service-connected conditions such as lumbar disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive lung disease, and gastroesophageal reflux.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which contributed to his susceptibility to pneumonia and COVID-19. As a result, the appeal for service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for metatarsalgia (foot pain) (Morton's disease) (plantar fasciitis (also claimed as foot problems) was dismissed. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for COPD and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to in-service asbestos exposure.
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