Asbestosis decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) and remanded claims related to eye conditions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), and tension headaches.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 60 percent for asbestosis but remanded the claim for service connection for lung infection due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for asbestosis with obstructive sleep apnea, granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities, but granted a 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for pleural plaques related to asbestos exposure due to an inadequate VA examination.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis and the appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded the claims for a right knee disorder and respiratory disorder.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's pulmonary nodule disability and remanded claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include asbestosis and COPD, due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, headaches, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, from July 14, 2022. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as was the claim for TDIU in excess of 10 percent. Asbestosis with pleural plaques was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and sleep apnea, to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 23, 2014, for a TDIU and DEA benefits as there was no reasonable possibility that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining employment prior to that date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asbestosis, asthma, and COPD to the RO for further development, including an investigation into the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for COPD, emphysema, and special monthly compensation due to a need for aid and attendance or being housebound for further development.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for colon cancer prior to March 23, 2021 and an increased rating thereafter, as well as remanded claims for asbestosis and scar, status post colon cancer due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted an effective date of March 25, 2019 for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and asbestosis.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his asbestosis was at least as likely as not due to asbestos exposure during active service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, asthma, and sleep apnea because these claims were fully granted in a subsequent rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for lung disability, diagnosed as asbestosis, benign fibrotic nodule of the lung, COVID-19 pneumonia, loculated right-sided parapneumonic pleural effusion, left upper lobectomy with persistent small left pleural effusion and COPD.

The Board denied service connection for disability related to asbestos and granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected prostate cancer, while remanding the claim for vertigo due to potential toxic exposure.