Asbestosis decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's asbestosis was incurred in active service and granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, residuals of a left leg fracture, and residuals of a right arm fracture. The claimant's contention that he was exposed to asbestos during his military service could not be substantiated by the medical evidence provided.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied as the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asbestosis in service and denied the claim based on lack of a nexus between current conditions and asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pleural plaque and emphysema/COPD are related to his asbestos exposure during military service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's asbestosis did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, based on his pulmonary function test results.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for asbestosis, concluding that his current lung disorder is not related to asbestos exposure during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's asbestosis was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for asbestosis is granted, finding evidence of current disability and its relation to in-service asbestos exposure. The case was remanded due to the need for additional development regarding pre-service, in-service, and post-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestosis is related to his service in 1962, specifically working in boiler rooms where asbestos was present. The condition is granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran did not have asbestos exposure during active military service and there is no medical evidence linking any current respiratory disorder to such exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now remanded to the RO for the specified actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder, back disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, or residuals of asbestos exposure. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and any asbestos-related disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting pulmonary function tests.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and a stomach disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased initial disability rating and a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected calcified pleural plaques. The veteran was rated at 10 percent disabling for this condition, but the appeal is now closed as he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings or a total rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current asbestosis is related to in-service asbestos exposure, and thus service connection for asbestosis is granted.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestos-related pleural disease is incurred in active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.