Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for lung disorder, liver disorder, tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.

The Veteran's asbestosis resulted in right ventricular hypertrophy, warranting a 100% disability rating effective January 13, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and residuals of colon cancer, finding no current diagnosis or evidence of such conditions. The right shoulder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial rating prior to June 18, 2015, and a higher rating on or after that date for asbestosis has been withdrawn.

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

The Board denied a compensable rating for asbestosis prior to June 21, 2016, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's disability was evaluated based on the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which showed mild obstruction at baseline but significant improvement after bronchodilator use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder that had onset during active service or was caused by active service, to include exposure to asbestos during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for asbestosis, COPD, and asthma. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability (claimed as silicosis or asbestosis) and Meniere's disease. The decision is based on a finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an asbestos-related pulmonary disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD, asbestosis, or a back disorder. The evidence received since the March 2010 rating decision is insufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective as of his retirement in 2008 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, warranting no extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's asbestosis with pulmonary fibrosis is service-connected, and the cause of his death was also due to this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, as is his tinnitus. His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and asbestosis are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board finds that additional development is required for the claim of service connection for asbestosis, which was claimed due to exposure to asbestos during service. The Veteran has been provided a VA examination and his lay statements have triggered the duty to assist.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for asbestosis effective December 19, 2014. The Veteran's disability level increased during the one year look-back period prior to his claim filed on June 18, 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has any residuals of asbestos exposure, including headaches and shortness of breath, incurred in or related to active service.