Asbestosis decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to resolve conflicting medical opinions regarding the veteran's lung disorder and exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in November 1996. The appellant submitted new evidence, but it was not considered material to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received from the veteran and inconsistencies in diagnoses within his file. The veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for his claimed lung disorder, and all relevant treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and residuals of asbestos exposure. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran has asbestosis. The claim will be adjudicated again after this development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding insufficient medical evidence to establish current disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for asbestosis, finding that his forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by the single breath method (DLCO (SB)) were not below the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and asbestosis, but granted service connection for colon polyps. Service connection for hypertension was not established.

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for asbestosis, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the evidence of record.

The veteran is seeking service connection for the residuals of exposure to asbestos. The Board has decided that an additional VA examination and medical records review are needed.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder claimed as due to asbestos exposure, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for asbestosis. The veteran is still seeking these benefits.

The Board found that the veteran does not have asbestosis, including as a residual of service exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his COPD with interstitial fibrosis due to asbestosis, and for readjudication of his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and grants this claim. The asbestosis claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, asbestosis, and traumatic arthritis. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no evidence of a stressor during his military service for PTSD. Asbestosis was not shown to be present during service, and there is no competent medical evidence that the veteran now has asbestosis attributable to his military service. Traumatic arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the veteran's service and obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and asbestosis, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis or in-service asbestos exposure.