Asbestosis Board decisions

The Board has requested a medical opinion and remanded the case for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestos exposure and Hepatitis B and C were granted. The claims for a back disorder, residuals of a collapsed lung, and an increased rating claim for the fibula disability are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary asbestosis is being remanded due to missing service records and the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and Worker's Compensation records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and asbestosis have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature of his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis, restrictive lung disease and fibrothorax, did not have onset in service or due to asbestos exposure during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of asbestosis or other asbestos-related conditions, and the Veteran's COPD is not related to service-connected exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pleural plaque disease has rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of post-service asbestos exposure and resulting lung disorders.

The Veteran's lung and esophageal cancer residuals are rated at 100% prior to January 1, 2008 and 30% thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran's esophageal cancer residuals meet criteria for a 30% rating beginning February 1, 2008.

The Board found no evidence of meaningful asbestos exposure during active service and concluded that the Veteran's current lung disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus his claim for service connection for the cause of his death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a video-conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's asbestosis is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of asthma and COPD remains unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for all periods considered, thus denying his claim for NSC pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Pensacola Naval Air Station medical records. The Veteran's current lung impairments will be evaluated to determine if they are related to his asbestos exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and asbestosis or other respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that his current disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for clarification of his lung condition.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder (asbestosis) has been manifested by a Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) of no less than 75 percent predicted and a Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) of no less than 66 percent predicted. The preponderance of evidence does not warrant an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's residuals of asbestos exposure were initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 1, 2007. As of November 1, 2007, the evaluation was increased to 60 percent.