Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema secondary to asbestosis was granted. However, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for initial gastric antral erosions with mild fibrosis of the lamina propria was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of asbestosis with mesothelioma, finding that September 17, 2007 is the earliest possible effective date based on the date of his initial claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient information regarding his asbestosis and TDIU.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical records and a more definitive VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, coronary disease with dilated cardiomyopathy, residuals of frostbite, headaches, shoulder disability, and depression/anxiety. The claim for an eye disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, disability of both hips, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, asbestos exposure, and tuberculosis are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability since March 26, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have asbestosis due to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his asbestosis to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and asbestosis are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected asbestosis and differentiate it from any non-service-connected symptoms.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disability, asbestosis, hepatitis C, arthritis of all joints, sinusitis, HIV, and recurrent pneumonia. The Board also denied his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the right thumb.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and pulmonary asbestosis with asthma and COPD.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and bilateral lung disorder due to lack of evidence connecting the conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and low back disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in service and no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The claims were decided on the basis of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for asbestosis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Veteran's asbestosis with localized areas of pleural thickening was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 22, 2006 to August 2, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis, coupled with his other conditions and work experience, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for asbestosis was granted at 10 percent, and service connection for residuals of pneumonia and scarlet fever were also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including asbestosis and lung disease, and memory loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking the disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's asbestos-related lung disease with COPD has necessitated outpatient oxygen therapy since August 10, 2010. Prior to this date, the disability did not meet the criteria for a 60% or higher rating under DCs 6833 and 6604. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.