Asbestosis decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess any current pulmonary disease or disability and its connection to service.

The Board has determined that further medical development is needed to fully assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and asbestosis, including considering new evidence from private doctors and National Cancer Institute documents. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of service connection remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a lung condition due to asbestos exposure are also being addressed.

The Veteran was granted service connection for asbestosis, but the issues of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a neck fracture, and arthritis are addressed in the REMAND below.

The Veteran's appeal for left shoulder disability and the reopening of his asbestosis claim have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial increased rating for asbestosis, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his asbestosis. The issue of TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that he was exposed to asbestos during his military service and now suffers from this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's asbestosis has not resulted in any pulmonary symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation since March 3, 2009.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased initial evaluation for his service-connected asbestos-related pleural plaques and the claim for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos in service and whether there was pre-service or post-service occupational exposure. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death will be remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and there is no evidence of asbestosis. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was end-stage cardiac disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, including those related to the Veteran's treatment at Dr. Patel's office and VA clinics.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing another VA examination.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive sleep apnea, is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to his military service or exposure to asbestos.

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

The Board has granted service connection for left hip total arthroplasty and breathing condition, both found to be due to new evidence. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 20% prior to November 14, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and determining whether he was exposed to asbestos before, during, or after his military service.