Asbestosis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, including due to exposure to asbestos during service, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed conditions, including asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA pulmonologist regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his death. The case will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis and his diagnosed COPD is not related to his active duty service, including any asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is also raised.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for asbestosis, including a VA examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, and lumbar spine disability have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos, and thus service connection for asbestosis is granted. The issue of prostate cancer will be remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis with an effective date of August 17, 2009. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence since his prior denial in July 2012.

The Veteran's asbestosis with pleural plaques was rated at 30 percent from November 8, 2002 to April 7, 2013. From February 7, 2013 to April 7, 2013, the disability rating increased to 60 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are associated with the Veteran's claims file, particularly for his asbestosis and unemployability claims. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's asbestosis is related to active service and the claim for service connection has been granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a mental health condition remains pending, with an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss also under consideration.

The Veteran's total and permanent disability rating due to service-connected disabilities, including his chronic cardiac disability affecting balance or propulsion, meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination to assess his status post asbestos exposure with pleural and pulmonary asbestosis. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a scar of the right lower leg is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred a scar during active duty and it is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability other than pleural disease and interstitial lung disease (including fibrosis and asbestosis), to include left diaphragmatic dysfunction with left lower lobe atelectasis, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for polyps in the colon, nose and throat were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.