Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and multiple myeloma are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure history, medical opinions on etiology, and clinical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in service and has been continuous since then. The lung disability (claimed as Asbestosis, COPD, and Lung Cancer) is considered a direct service connection case based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disorder related to his in-service asbestos exposure and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. His claims include seeking an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for asbestosis.

The Veteran's asbestosis and COPD are presumed to be related to service exposure. His low back disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure is being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a dental examination. The issues of service connection for asbestosis and a dental disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, are not of such severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis with restrictive lung disease is rated at 60 percent throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim of asbestosis, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his employment difficulties are attributed to non-service connected factors.

The Board has determined that the case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory/lung disability and addressing whether his pre-existing lung disorder was clearly and unmistakably aggravated by service.

The Veteran's asbestosis is due to his active service, but the current rating for the disability is noncompensable. The VA has requested additional development including a new examination to assess the severity of the asbestosis.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease has been rated at various levels based on his level of activity that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The rating was increased to 60% from October 3, 2005, and decreased back to 60% effective December 2, 2013.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20% since October 13, 2010. Prior to this date, the rating was based on Level IV hearing loss in both ears. The improvement in his hearing after October 13, 2010, led to a decrease in the rating.,The Veteran's asbestosis has been rated at 30% since August 12, 2013. Prior to this date, the rating was based on FVC of 75-80 percent predicted or DLCO (SB) of 66-80 percent predicted. The improvement in his condition after August 12, 2013, led to a decrease in the rating.

The Veteran's asbestosis with bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either Diagnostic Code 6602 or 6833.

The Veteran's bilateral pulmonary hyperinflation is found to be related to his service-connected respiratory disabilities and thus granted for recharacterization purposes only. The Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability is now classified as including bilateral pulmonary hyperinflation.

The Veteran's lung disorder, to include asbestosis, was not incurred in service and is denied.,The residuals of right-sided brain damage were not incurred in service and are denied.,An effective date earlier than May 23, 2003, for the grant of service connection for vertigo has been denied.