Asbestosis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current asbestos-related lung disorder and therefore, service connection for asbestosis and mesothelioma is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disability, but denied it as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's current diagnoses of asbestosis/pleural plaques are related to his in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection is granted for asbestosis with pleural plaques due to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's asbestosis with pleural plaques has been manifested by FVC and DLCO results above 80 percent predicted, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bronchial asthma with pleural calcifications is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to a lack of an examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and testing related to his service-connected interstitial lung disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's chronic left lower pleuropulmonary fibrosis with asbestosis resulted in forced vital capacity (FVC) of no less than 76%, without DLCO (SB) less than 66%, maximum exercise capacity of less than 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, cor pulmonale, or pulmonary hypertension, and does not require outpatient oxygen therapy as of September 15, 2015. The Veteran is now rated at a 10% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's asbestosis was evaluated at a 30 percent rating since February 27, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in his disability rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. Additional examinations are also needed to assess the current severity of his right hip, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and a need for further examination to determine the etiology of any identified pulmonary disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed lung disorder, asbestosis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) that was first manifested during active duty or is shown to be etiologically related to any injury or event in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lung disorder secondary to asbestos exposure was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder and asbestosis are not related to his active military service, including exposure to asbestos. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to service, while malaria and asbestosis have no current evidence of a disability. The claim for malaria is denied, and the claim for asbestosis is also denied.

The Veteran's asbestos-related lung abnormalities of nodules and diaphragm changes are more likely than not attributable to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition, but the rating assigned and effective date need to be determined based on further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has awarded service connection for asbestos-related lung abnormalities of bilateral pleural plaque calcification. The issue of whether the Veteran's diagnosed COPD and/or emphysema are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestos-related changes of bilateral pleural plaque formation is remanded.