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.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, likely due to in-service asbestos exposure, rendered him more susceptible to developing pneumonia and COVID-19, which ultimately caused his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26020476
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 A26020476.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, evaluated at a 100 percent rating since February 28, 2017, and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are granted effective from February 28, 2017. The Veteran also received SMC based on housebound status as of April 13, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is related to his active-duty service, including exposure to asbestos. The decision grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to inadequate notification and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Board must provide proper notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104, including identification of the issues adjudicated, evidence considered, applicable laws and regulations, findings favorable to the claimant, elements not satisfied leading to the denial, how to obtain or access evidence used in making the decision, and rights to a hearing, representation, and appeal.
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