Asbestosis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the remaining issues have been withdrawn. The claims of asbestosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis are remanded due to inextricability with other claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for mesothelioma and cause of death must be remanded due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of adequate analysis regarding in-service asbestos exposure and post-service employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for pneumoconiosis/bilateral pulmonary asbestosis, finding it is at least as likely as not due to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to lack of appeal. The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for asbestosis, effective from July 21, 2015, and denied an increased rating for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary/respiratory disability, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and its relationship to his in-service exposure to chemicals, solvents, fumes, and jet fuel.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disability and its relation to service. The case is now being sent back for an addendum opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements of asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted since November 1, 2012, as his service-connected disabilities resulted in a combined rating of at least 70 percent and he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, arthritis (also claimed as legs-both, right hip bad, painful), gout, bilateral eye viruses, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, residuals of asbestos exposure (including sinus and respiratory problems), lung cancer, and sinusitis. However, these claims were denied on the merits.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened since the last examination, and he wants his asbestos-related pleural plaques rated separately. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukopenia has been denied as it is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to a change in nature and severity of the Veteran's respiratory disorder, requiring another VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and ILD, due to asbestos and chemical exposures. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asbestosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, liver disease, and kidney disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical records are needed from Dr. Kuryla and other clinicians.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with asbestos-induced pleural plaques. The claim is now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and thus no valid claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, and lung disorder due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development.

The Board denied a compensable rating for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's respiratory impairment is caused by his service-connected COPD and emphysema due to smoking.