Asbestosis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy for sciatic nerve is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for asbestosis. The claims for diabetes mellitus, prolactinoma, residuals of a ruptured quadriceps tendon injury of the right leg, and left groin strain are remanded due to new evidence received after the previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected calcified pleural plaques, residuals of asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to the lack of relevant VA treatment records from June 2011 to September 2017 and specific findings from October 2017 and June 2018 pulmonary function tests. The Veteran also indicated receiving medical treatment at the VA Providence Healthcare System for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but his claims folder does not contain these records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient etiology opinions and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asbestosis and COPD, are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for asbestosis related pleural disorder (ARPD) was denied, and his claim for a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for COPD, as it was not adequately addressed in the previous VA medical opinion. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his service exposure or smoking history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and major depressive disorder), left foot disability, right foot disability, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and melanoma) due to unresolved issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis due to his failure to provide requested information and authorizations necessary for VA to obtain evidence needed to properly adjudicate his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, heart disabilities, and pulmonary hypertension due to service-connected asbestosis. The Veteran's COPD is now considered secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion on whether COPD was caused or aggravated by asbestosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pleural plaques due to asbestos, which may be related to in-service exposure or post-service work as a carpenter.

The Veteran's lung condition is related to service, specifically his exposure to asbestos during military service. However, a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Asbestosis have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 21, 2011. The issue of TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected lung disability, to include pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure; entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lung condition and arthritis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of asbestosis or arthritis related to service. The Board also found that any arthritis did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new VA treatment records not previously considered. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's claims for vision impairment, an unknown disability due to chemical and asbestos exposure, and hearing loss have been dismissed.,An initial rating of 30 percent but not higher has been granted for residuals of right inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete pulmonary function test results, specifically a Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO) test.

The Veteran's emphysema, including asbestosis, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.