Asbestosis decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his period of service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibrosis consistent with asbestos exposure is due to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of certain claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a pulmonary examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorders. The TDIU claim is also deferred.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2012. The respiratory disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a pulmonary disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to in-service asbestos exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cause of death (pulmonary fibrosis) and his probable asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's asbestosis was not incurred in active service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand, and additional development is required. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence of in-service asbestos exposure and an adequate VA medical addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and asbestosis have been rated at various levels of disability throughout the appeal period. The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support higher ratings for any portion of this time frame.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is deceased.

The Veteran's asbestosis disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a follow-up examination to address inconsistencies in pulmonary function test results.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include asthma, and is now considering service connection for a pulmonary disability other than asbestosis. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether any current pulmonary disability(ies) are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis substantially or materially contributed to his death from respiratory failure, pneumonia, pleural effusion, and congestive heart failure. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lung condition due to asbestos exposure is granted, and he is entitled to accrued benefits based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and an inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asbestos lung disease since April 7, 2010 was granted. The claim for a total rating due to individual unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities prior to March 28, 2010 was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain complete medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.