What this means
m21-1:VIII.iii.7.B explains development and examination requests for claims based on exposure to asbestos. In plain terms, the official guidance says 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. It also addresses follow the steps in the table below to obtain the necessary evidence in support of a substantially complete application based on exposure to asbestos.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:VIII.iii.7.B when organizing evidence or checking VA's handling of development and examination requests for claims based on exposure to asbestos. Compare your application, supporting records, and notice with this source-specific point: 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. Follow the steps in the table below to obtain the necessary evidence in support of a substantially complete application based on exposure to asbestos. Save proof of submission and identify the exact condition, exception, or missing development step before requesting correction or choosing a review option.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: development action to take when no disability related to asbestos exposure is claimed, and
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: VIII.iii.7.B.1.a. Development Action to Take When No Disability Related to Asbestos Exposure Is Claimed
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: 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.
Important limits
m21-1:VIII.iii.7.B explains VA guidance for development and examination requests for claims based on exposure to asbestos; it does not guarantee an award or replace the statutes, regulations, binding decisions, and review instructions that control an individual claim. Conditions and exceptions still matter, including this source point: 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. Use the table below when requesting a respiratory examination and medical opinion for claims based on asbestos exposure.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Development and Examination Requests for Claims Based on Exposure to Asbestos
- m21-1:VIII.iii.7.B
- Development Examination Requests
- Claims Based Exposure
- Developing Claims Asbestos-Related Diseases
- development action take when
- asbestos claims development procedures.
- VIII.iii.7.B.1.a. Development Action Take
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the following topics:
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| Topic | Topic Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Developing Claims for Service Connection (SC) for Asbestos-Related Diseases |
| 2 | Requesting Examinations for Asbestos-Related Claims |
1. Developing Claims for SC for Asbestos-Related Diseases
Introduction
This topic contains information on developing claims for SC for asbestos-related diseases, including
- development action to take when no disability related to asbestos exposure is claimed, and
- asbestos claims development procedures.
Change Date
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.
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| 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
Change Date
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.
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| 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.