Asbestosis decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for asbestosis, but no higher, effective February 25, 2013. The Veteran's respiratory disability is manifested by a DLCO (SB) of 77 percent predicted value.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the claimed respiratory disorder (asbestosis) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of COPD, emphysema, and asbestosis. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss disability and asbestosis for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis is remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, and to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an asbestos-related lung condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner needs to review the Veteran's medical records and determine if his diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including pleural disease with pleural plaques and asbestosis, is found to be related to in-service exposure to asbestos. The acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety neurosis, are also found to be related to service. However, the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis scarring, and COPD are denied.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, and the initial compensable rating for asbestosis-related pleural disease is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Asbestosis, finding that the objective medical evidence did not support a link to active service or exposure to asbestos.

The Board has already acknowledged the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos. However, a VA examiner's opinion was found inadequate due to lack of sufficient rationale and the Court remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of a compensable rating for asbestosis and TDIU.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records.

The Veteran's asbestosis was granted a rating of 30 percent effective July 3, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, and fibrosis have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.