Asbestosis decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of severity for COPD with asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis and plaques. The Veteran was previously rated at 30 percent but may be entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 10, 2024. The appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on February 10, 2025 is dismissed as it was a duplicate of an existing appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pleural plaques (asbestosis) associated with TERA participation are currently rated at 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent respectively. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings in each of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected interstitial lung disease (ILD) and asbestosis has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, diagnosed as interstitial fibrosis, pleural disease, and asbestosis. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU from April 12, 2016 to March 22, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's restrictive pulmonary disease manifested to a compensable level prior to February 2, 2022. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema is dismissed as the benefit requested has been granted.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis claim was denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to credibility issues with his testimony and lack of supporting medical evidence. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining records from the Army National Guard period, left knee surgery records, clarification on TERA exposure details, and a new opinion regarding prostate cancer.

The Veteran's emphysema is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that his current condition is related to his active-duty military service. The evidence of record supports this conclusion.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis with COPD due to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his asbestosis. The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's OSA with asbestosis is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis with emphysema and lung cancer, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective dates are not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disabilities and their relation to service.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on post-bronchodilator FVC scores.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of evidence, specifically a high resolution CT scan and an addendum medical opinion from the March 2024 VA Pulmonary Specialist.