Asbestosis Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an asbestos-related lung disorder, to include COPD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and is referred back to the RO.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and found a 10 percent disability rating was warranted for pleural thickening, both lungs, residual asbestos exposure prior to February 26, 2004. The Board also found no higher ratings were warranted thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and granted a higher rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from July 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis. The claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a thorough examination of his asbestosis. The issues of increased rating for asbestosis and TDIU are also inextricably intertwined.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of asbestos exposure is being remanded to the RO for further consideration based on all available evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have asbestosis and any current lung disease is not shown to be etiologically related to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and a claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for asbestosis. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran had current eye problems or asbestosis due to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent throughout the pendency of this appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board found that the veteran's current lung disorder is not related to his active service, specifically noting a lack of diagnosis of asbestosis and insufficient evidence linking his in-service exposure to asbestos with his current condition.

The Board found no current asbestos-related disability and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure and a compensable rating for sleep apnea.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a myocardial infarction, memory loss, concentration loss and forgetfulness, blackouts, headaches and equilibrium problems secondary to head trauma, hives, dry skin, nose bleeds, lung disorders due to asbestos exposure, and tingling of the hands.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder, and asbestosis. The evidence did not support these claims based on current medical findings or lack of in-service disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's asbestosis is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of asbestosis, finding that the original claim was filed on May 26, 1998, and no informal claim had been submitted prior to this date.

The Board found no evidence of asbestosis in service and concluded that the veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted a disability evaluation of 30 percent for the service-connected lung disability resulting from asbestos exposure, effective from November 20, 2002.