Asbestosis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty service or his service-connected asbestosis with fibrosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic strokes is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty service or his service-connected asbestosis with fibrosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, headache disability, hepatitis, vision disorder, lung disorder (asbestosis and mesothelioma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service records do not support the presence of a TBI in service, and his current disabilities are not linked to any incident during service.,There is no evidence of a head injury or TBI in service. The Veteran’s STRs do not mention a fall or related head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestos-related pleural disease. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on the etiology of a left lung tumor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied due to lack of evidence of exposure during service and the Veteran's own conflicting statements about his exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction was not reopened because new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for PTSD remains at 50 percent, with symptoms including depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, isolation, and auditory hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and outstanding private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection has not been established for a lung disorder (due to asbestos exposure).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for MDD, effective from the date of decision. A TDIU rating was granted from August 25, 2011 forward.

The Veteran's asbestosis rating is incomplete and needs to be updated due to an inadequate recent VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis, and the case is remanded for further action on service connection claims for emphysema and COPD.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD with asbestos, asbestosis associated with asbestos, and heart condition. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the heart condition.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, heart disability secondary to COPD, and pulmonary hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his exposure history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal regarding a reduction in his disability evaluation for lung cancer from 100% to 10%, effective April 1, 2017. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence of current pulmonary function test results.

The Veteran's asbestosis has been progressively deteriorating, requiring more oxygen therapy and being confined to a wheelchair. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's pulmonary disorder, including asbestosis, and his active service. The VA will obtain additional medical records and schedule a new examination for clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with previous remands, specifically regarding verification of service in Vietnam or Thailand and herbicide exposure during Air Force service. The appellant is advised that she may submit relevant medical records, including from Scott Air Force Base, in support of her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is a result of asbestos exposure during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal for service connection of a pulmonary disorder (claimed as asbestos exposure) is dismissed. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied for the period prior to April 28, 2017. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.