Asbestosis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lung disability is being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service or any other incident in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and related respiratory disabilities are related to service, as his preexisting COPD worsened during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and awarded burial benefits. The relationship between the Veteran's asbestosis and his cause of death is being further evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's asbestosis was caused by military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asbestosis are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran currently has residuals of asbestos exposure that could be the cause of his chronic respiratory disease. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain any records from private and VA medical care providers related to treatment for respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary/respiratory disability, including asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral asbestos-induced pleural disease warrants an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's asbestosis claim was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. His bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claims were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary asbestosis does not cause any lung involvement, and his current breathing difficulties are due to non-service-connected COPD. As such, a compensable evaluation for pulmonary asbestosis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected asbestos pleural disease was denied as the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical records and for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection claims for various health problems. The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing to address these matters.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of COPD and asbestosis are found to be secondary to asbestos exposure during his Navy service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had a low back disorder incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and/or COPD, was not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has vacated the July 17, 2013 decision denying service connection for asbestosis or other respiratory disorder, including COPD, as a residual of exposure to asbestos due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a neck disability, a right hand disability, and asbestosis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is service-connected, with no specific date provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claims for increased PTSD and asbestosis ratings are also being considered.