Asbestosis decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral hand pain, and shortness of breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure). The claim for a low back disorder is pending. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for a bilateral knee disorder or right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of asbestos exposure or facial nerve and muscle disabilities related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims. The shell fragment wound scars are also not compensable.

The Board found that the initial 10% evaluation for asbestosis from January 13, 1992 was proper and denied a higher evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation greater than 60% for asbestosis from October 23, 1995 through May 20, 1997 is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and remanded the issue of an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of an upper respiratory infection.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for asbestosis is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for asbestosis is well grounded and grants the claim.

The veteran's claims of service connection for elevated triglycerides and disability due to asbestos exposure were denied as there is no medical evidence of a diagnosed disability with respect to either claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis and found it well grounded, but denied the claim due to lack of evidence linking current asbestosis to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and for a higher rating for his asbestos-related lung disease. The evidence did not support the occurrence of in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and there was no credible supporting evidence that the asbestos-related lung condition had worsened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and right ankle disability are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of these conditions, nor is there sufficient medical evidence to link them to his military service or any other relevant factor.

The veteran's claims for asbestosis and mesothelioma, a lung condition secondary to surgical clamps and wire in the lung, and a heart condition secondary to the service-connected lung disease were denied. However, his claim for an increased evaluation of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis was granted with a 10% disability rating.,The veteran's vocal chord paralysis claim was denied, but he received a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of asbestosis or a nexus between any current lung disability from asbestos exposure, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure, skin cancer due to asbestos exposure, and residuals of a fracture of the left hand. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis is well grounded and has been remanded to obtain clarification on the diagnosis of asbestosis and its relationship to military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 17, 1994 for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and denied the claim for service connection of asbestosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding no current medical evidence to support these claims.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected pleural plaques, pleural thickening and effusions with asbestosis. The RO has been instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and schedule the veteran for a VA pulmonary examination to determine the severity of his condition.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have asbestosis, which is a key element for service connection. The claim was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hearing loss and asbestosis, but denied both on the merits due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to military service.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected asbestosis, which is higher than the initial 10 percent assigned.