Asbestosis decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have asbestosis and there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that there is no evidence of in-service asbestos exposure or a direct link to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and any relevant legal action records. The veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is unclear, but a VA examination will be conducted to determine if he has asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases related to his period of service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected asbestosis with lung scarring and obstruction, effective from when the claim was received in January 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, bronchitis, arthritis, and hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of exposure to asbestos, hypertension, a right arm disability, and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety with depression). The evidence did not support the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, low back, asbestos-related disability, or bilateral hearing loss disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestos-related lung disease originated in service and is therefore granted service connection. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding no competent evidence of current disability and noting that exposure to asbestos alone is not a disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current asbestosis is causally related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for asbestosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestosis, headaches, and eye problems are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current asbestosis is not of service origin and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of the record, including obtaining additional medical records and seeking a VA examination or medical advisory opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and whether his asbestosis, or other asbestos-related disease, contributed to his death. The VA must obtain a statement from the Navy Medical Liaison Office confirming any inservice exposure to asbestos and provide a new medical opinion considering both in-service and postservice exposures.

The veteran's request for a Board hearing has been rescheduled due to incorrect notification of the hearing date. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary atherosclerosis is due to his long history of smoking cigarettes in service, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The other conditions (asbestosis, dengue fever, malaria, back pain, and lice) were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asbestosis are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and concluded that the veteran's current lung disease is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed eye disability or lung disability related to military service, including exposure to asbestos. Service connection is denied for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have asbestosis or an asbestos-related disease and denied his claim for service connection.