Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his asbestos related pleural plaques (claimed as mesothelioma) was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent disability rating effective May 1, 2018. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between current respiratory conditions and service. Additional evidence will be considered by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, a higher disability rating for his left knee disability, and a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all of his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his pulmonary fibrosis and asbestosis from March 5, 2019 to July 7, 2020 is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations that did not conduct the required Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO) (SB) test.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion based on new evidence that supports the Veteran's contentions of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status. The evidence did not support a finding that hypertension began during service, was related to asbestos exposure, or was caused by his service-connected asbestosis with interstitial lung disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and asbestosis due to a lack of updated medical records, unclear history regarding current symptoms, and the need to verify asbestos exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations and development related to his claims.

The Veteran's asbestosis was rated at 10% from July 24, 2015 to July 13, 2017. From July 13, 2017 onwards, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo claim cannot be granted as there is no confirmed diagnosis of vertigo. The respiratory, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disability claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis because there is no current disability of asbestosis or any other relevant lung or breathing disability.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, sleep apnea, COPD, and asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung conditions, specifically COPD and asbestosis. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are more likely than not related to service exposure to asbestos and/or perchloroethylene.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and lung disorder, and denied service connection for prostate disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for urticaria, and remanded his claims for left lung disability (presumed due to asbestos) and PTSD with depression.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression are causally related to his period of service in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy, an earlier effective date prior to May 12, 2017 for the grant of service connection for diabetic nephropathy, and SMC based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for asbestosis and TDIU due to incomplete consideration of recent medical records. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Board has found that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to service, but needs further verification of his exposure to asbestos in service and whether he was aboard the USNS General William Weigel during his active duty.

The Veteran's asbestosis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction of his lung cancer with asbestosis rating from 100% to 10%. The Board dismissed the case.