Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's asbestos-related lung disease is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed pulmonary disabilities are related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's asbestosis is not more than noncompensable due to its being secondary to his service-connected COPD. The bilateral hearing loss was assigned a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed, except for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion regarding his employability based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis was denied. The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development and consideration.

The weight of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran developed asbestosis during military service or due to exposure to asbestos in service.

The Veteran's asbestosis was evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, but his pulmonary function tests showed normal results. The Board determined that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed chronic respiratory disorder, and the Board finds no evidence of asbestos exposure or asbestosis during service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than October 27, 2009 for the grant of service connection for asbestosis with pulmonary fibrosis and calcific diaphragmatic pleural plaques and irregular bilateral parenchymal opacities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code, and thus denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disorders and their relationship to his military service, specifically asbestos exposure. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current lung condition, to include asbestosis, at the time of his death and there was no evidence linking such conditions to service. As such, the claim for accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability meeting VA compensation criteria. The claims for pulmonary and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's calcified pleural plaques (asbestosis) have been rated as noncompensable since July 2005, and the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation at any time during this period.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for asbestosis has been granted, but the RO needs to conduct further examination and review of his medical records to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for calcified pleural plaques consistent with asbestos exposure remains before the Board. The RO is instructed to provide a current examination and readjudicate the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, left knee disability, arthritis of hands and fingers, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's current lung disorders, including COPD and asbestosis, are not related to his service. The VA examiner found no compelling evidence of asbestos-related changes in the Veteran's chest x-rays or pulmonary function tests.