Asbestosis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asbestosis, is being remanded for further examination and development due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's testimony at his July 2013 hearing indicated that he may have a respiratory disease related to service, and there are concerns about his ability to attend necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's lung condition, including atelectasis and asbestos exposure residuals, is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 23, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as clinical records from the Veteran's in-service hospitalization at Chanute Field Hospital. The Veteran is also asked to provide releases for any relevant records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for pulmonary disability and bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's asbestosis with chronic bronchitis was rated at 60 percent from April 11, 2012. The previous ratings were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current pulmonary disability, including asbestosis, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has asbestosis, which is related to his in-service asbestos exposure. As such, service connection for asbestosis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for asbestosis due to incomplete examination. The case is now pending for further development and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient findings from a previous VA examination, including the need for a maximum exercise capacity test and clarification of DLCO results.

The Veteran's death was not determined to be service-connected, but the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied due to lack of total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant's requested travel board hearing. The appeal is now pending for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his asbestosis and a social and industrial survey to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current lung disorder and his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right inguinal hernia must also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for asbestosis, and thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pleural plaques do not cause his respiratory symptoms or functional impairment, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his exposure history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence indicates no chronic conditions involving the kidneys, heart, or lungs during his period of active service and no post-service medical records linking these conditions to his military service.