--- title: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section B Development and Examination Requests for Claims Based on Exposure to Asbestos" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section B" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/viii.iii.7.b-development-and-examination-requests-for-claims-based-on" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177462/M21-1-Part-VIII-Subpart-iii-Chapter-7-Section-B-Development-and-Examination-Requests-for-Claims-Based-on-Exposure-to-Asbestos" updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:35.774770Z" --- February 11, 2026 ### VIII.iii.7.B.1.a. Development Action to Take When No Disability Related to Asbestos Exposure Is Claimed A claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges exposure to asbestos during service, but does not claim service connection (SC) for a specific disability. In cases such as these, follow the procedures for handling an incomplete application at [M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.C.2.b and c](). **Reference:** For more information on what constitutes a substantially complete application, see * [38 CFR 3.159(a)(3)](), and * [M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.C.1](). ### VIII.iii.7.B.1.b. Asbestos Claims Development Procedures All claims based on asbestos exposure require * military personnel records * specific exposure information from the claimant, and * medical evidence of the specific diagnosis. Follow the steps in the table below to obtain the necessary evidence in support of a substantially complete application based on exposure to asbestos. | **Step**| **Action** 1| Obtain military personnel records, if they are not of record, via * a code O50 request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), or * the [Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System](). **Exception:** Do not submit the request if the Department of Veterans Affairs has previously submitted and received a response under request code O50 _._**References:** For more information on * requesting records from NPRC, see the _Veterans Benefits Management System Core User Guide_ , and * location of personnel records and requesting them, see [M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 2.C](). 2| Concurrent with the request, send a development letter to the Veteran requesting additional exposure information by selecting the following development paragraphs: * _ASB – tell us where, when, how exposed_ , and * _ASB – medical evid of disease (biopsy) needed_. **Exception:** If the claimant has already provided the specific information requested in the above development paragraphs, do not send a subsequent development letter. 3| After sending the development letter, when required, and obtaining the military personnel records, determine if asbestos exposure is established by reviewing and applying the guidance and procedures in [M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.C](). 4| Was asbestos exposure established in Step 3? * If _yes_ , go to the next step. * If _no_ , refer the claim to the rating activity after completing all other required development actions. 5| Is there evidence of a current disability sufficient to warrant an exam? * If _yes_ , follow the procedures in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.B.2.a to request an exam. * If _no_ , refer the claim to the rating activity after completing all other required development actions. **Reference:** For more information on the threshold for a direct SC examination, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.A]() and [B](). ## 2. Requesting Examinations for Asbestos-Related Claims July 29, 2021 ### VIII.iii.7.B.2.a. Requesting a Respiratory Examination and Opinion for Claims Based on Asbestos Exposure Use the table below when requesting a respiratory examination and medical opinion for claims based on asbestos exposure.**Important:** Request an examination if the threshold is otherwise met, even if the Veteran fails to respond to the subsequent development letter referenced in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.B.1.b. In these cases, request the examiner to solicit an exposure history from the Veteran. | **If exposure is established based on a(n) …**| **Then use the appropriate tool/system and its embedded templates to request a respiratory examination and a ...** Navy Navy military occupational specialty (MOS) **Note:** If exposure in an MOS is listed as minimal, probable, or highly probable in the table in [M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.C.1.b](), concede asbestos exposure for purposes of scheduling an examination.| medical opinion based on MOS assignment and its probability of exposure to asbestos. event or other occupational experience| _direct_ medical opinion. **Note:** In all examination requests, * follow the guidance in [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.8.d]() to identify all relevant records the examiner should review in making a medical opinion, and * ensure that the examination request states all relevant information as to asbestos exposure to include, but not limited to, * the Veteran’s MOS(s) and probability of asbestos exposure or the event or other occupational experience on which exposure is based, and * all pre- and post-service exposure history. **References:** For more information on * the threshold for requesting an examination, see * [38 CFR 3.159(c)(4)](), and * [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.A]() and [B](), and * requesting an examinations, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A]().