Asbestosis decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for pleural asbestosis and remanded the issues of chronic bronchitis and COPD to allow for further development.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for alcohol detoxification were denied as the services did not meet the criteria of being an emergent medical condition.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial disability rating for asbestosis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of active symptomatology for asbestosis or causal relationship to his deviated septum.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for pulmonary vascular disease, as there is no medical evidence showing it was caused by active service or any other condition. The veteran's Meniere's syndrome and asbestosis claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran was exposed to asbestos aboard his ship during service and has been diagnosed with pleural plaques and asbestosis. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have asbestosis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current asbestosis did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to any event or injury of service origin. As a result, the claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for labored breathing associated with asbestos exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that would support the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records from Dr. P.

The Board found no evidence of asbestosis during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a respiratory condition from asbestos exposure or residuals of pneumonia, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure. The veteran's scar, residual laceration of the right upper eyelid, was granted noncompensable evaluations both prior to and after August 30, 2002.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for asbestosis due to new and material evidence. The underlying claim will be readjudicated after obtaining a VHA medical expert opinion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis (TB) due to lack of a current diagnosis. The issue of asbestosis, claimed as a lung condition, is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and asbestosis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge. The examiner determined that the current degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine is more likely related to post-service injuries than to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and foot, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and PTSD. The veteran was not shown to have a current disability related to asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's lung disorder, including asbestosis and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and asbestosis. The claim for residuals of a stroke remains denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and contact the veteran for treatment information. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.