Revised February 11, 2026
VIII.iii.7.B.1.aDevelopment 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
VIII.iii.7.B.1.bAsbestos 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
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
|
| 2 | Concurrent with the request, send a development letter to the Veteran requesting additional exposure information by selecting the following development paragraphs:
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?
|
| 5 | Is there evidence of a current disability sufficient to warrant an exam?
|
Reference: For more information on the threshold for a direct SC examination, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.A and B.
2Requesting Examinations for Asbestos-Related Claims
Revised July 29, 2021
VIII.iii.7.B.2.aRequesting 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.
End of Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section B