Asbestosis decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional testing related to his asbestos-related pleural disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the claims for lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was withdrawn prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, did not have its onset in service or was caused by his active military service, including exposure to asbestos from January 1948 to January 1952.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lung condition (to include asbestosis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and residuals of asbestos exposure were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, including the claimed stressors or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (asbestosis and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine) did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his primary disability was non-service connected end-stage Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fungus skin disorder of the feet, right eye disorder, and lung disorder (to include asbestosis). The denial was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,No VA examination or medical opinion was provided regarding the right eye disorder claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for groin abscess, left side; prostate cancer secondary to asbestos exposure; and hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asbestosis or any other respiratory disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his infectious hepatitis is rated at a compensable level based on its effects.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have asbestosis during his lifetime and therefore, he was not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip disability, tinnitus, and unspecified disability due to radiation exposure is withdrawn. The RO followed proper procedures in discontinuing SMC based on need for aid and attendance and restoring entitlement to specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip disability, tinnitus, and unspecified disability due to radiation exposure is withdrawn. The RO followed proper procedures in discontinuing SMC based on need for aid and attendance and restoring entitlement to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's respiratory and eye disorders are not service-connected, as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to asbestos exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current pulmonary disorder and his service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left elbow is found to be as likely as not related to his active duty service. The Board grants this claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disorder including asbestosis, which he claims was caused by exposure to asbestos insulation in service. The appeal is currently remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from Princeton Community Hospital and Dr. V.P.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asbestosis or an asbestos exposure-related disease, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung disability, including asbestosis. The Veteran's service records confirm his service aboard Navy vessels where he was exposed to asbestos. He also worked in a papermill post-service and smoked until 1976.