Asbestosis decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary fibrosis, which was related to his service exposure to asbestos, was a contributing cause of his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an asbestos-related lung disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA respiratory examination and further development of the medical record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an asbestos-related respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such a condition.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for asbestosis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis, finding that there was no evidence of such condition in service and no link to asbestos exposure.

The veteran's asbestosis lung disease is currently rated at 60 percent, effective July 31, 2000. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of an asbestos-related disability and thus denying his claim.

The veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic kidney disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and asbestosis are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will request copies of his service medical records and any relevant treatment records from the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis with asbestosis was denied. The RO assigned a 60 percent evaluation effective April 4, 2003 and a 30 percent evaluation from January 4, 2005.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and considering service connection issues related to his asbestos exposure residuals and potential entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's disability rating for residuals of asbestos with chronic bronchitis was increased to 60 percent effective August 21, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory disability, which may include asbestosis or other asbestos-related lung disorders. The examiner should also assess whether any diagnosed respiratory disorder is related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconclusive evidence regarding the veteran's asbestosis diagnosis and its relation to service.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his anxiety disorder with depression was denied. The VA determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his service-connected asbestosis and spontaneous pneumothorax, which were evaluated under direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have asbestosis and there is no medical evidence linking any current pulmonary disability to service, including potential asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis and bronchitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The veteran's asbestosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on forced vital capacity (FVC) or diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by the single breath method (DLCO (SB)).

The Board denied service connection for lung disability and colorectal cancer, finding that the veteran's conditions did not originate in service or until many years after his discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on forced vital capacity (FVC) or diffusion capacity of the lung (DLCO).