Asbestosis decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The lung disorder claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lung condition, including asbestosis, was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, coronary artery disease, headaches, visual disorder, and cervical spine disorder were denied. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and elevated eye pressure to include glaucoma were denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted with a rating of 20%. His claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, blocked nose, skin condition, spinal cord or low back injury, respiratory disorder (claimed due to asbestos exposure), and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding of service origin for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic respiratory disorders (including pneumonia and/or asbestosis) and coronary artery disease, including the residuals of coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. His lung cancer claim is remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, and asbestos exposure were all found to be service-connected for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his post-service employment and a VA pulmonary examination.

The Veteran's asbestosis has not shown sufficient impairment to warrant a compensable rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and stable mediastinal lymphadenopathy have not been established. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's current lung condition is not likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pleural thickening consistent with asbestos-related pleural disease is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis, which is etiologically related to his exposure to asbestos in service, contributed substantially and materially to cause his death.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to uncertainty regarding the cause of the Veteran's asbestosis, including whether it is related to service or civilian occupations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from various VA facilities.

The Veteran's claims for asbestos-related lung disease, acid reflux disease, and umbilical hernia were denied. The umbilical hernia was granted as a result of surgery.

The Veteran was granted service connection for asbestosis, which is considered a direct link to his active duty service. The cause of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate was interstitial lung disease with severe pulmonary hypertension, due to or as a possible consequence of asbestosis. As such, the Board found that the Veteran's asbestosis caused or contributed substantially to his death.