Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected asbestosis from January 21, 2009, through June 17, 2011, and to evaluate him for a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis is rated at 30 percent effective May 6, 2009. The VA examiner found that the disability had worsened and was now impacting his daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung disease, including bronchitis, COPD, and asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asbestosis or COPD, and therefore service connection for a lung disability including asbestosis is denied.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material and did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and denied increased ratings for PTSD. The Veteran's asbestosis was not linked to his military service, and the increased PTSD evaluations were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a supplemental medical opinion regarding the most accurate reflection of his lung disease level.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding the Veteran's lung disorders, including exposure during service and post-service treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his service exposure to asbestos, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his fatal cardiac and respiratory disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's only service-connected condition, asbestosis, is rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board finds that the Veteran retains substantial functional abilities and can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite his disability, thus denying the claim for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for testicular cancer and asbestos exposure, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board found that the Veteran's pleural plaques, claimed as asbestosis related condition, are essentially asymptomatic and all pulmonary symptoms shown by medical evidence were due to his non-service connected lung disorders. As a result, the claim for a compensable disability rating was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current pulmonary/respiratory disability, diagnosed as COPD and asbestos-related pleural disease, is not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner determined it less likely than not that the Veteran's respiratory disorders are due to his short period of service exposure.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is not service-connected. The lung disability and residuals of a fractured arm are presumed to be related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's interstitial fibrosis (asbestosis) was found to be aggravated by his pre-existing asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's corn on the right little toe and left shoulder condition claims are not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA respiratory examination to assess the severity of his service-connected asbestosis.