Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's asbestosis was evaluated and found to have a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 84 percent predicted, which does not meet the criteria for any compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity weakness, and right upper extremity weakness were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The hypertension claim is being remanded for additional medical opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service, specifically exposure to asbestos, and whether it was aggravated by service-connected asbestosis with interstitial lung disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 1, 2010. The case is remanded for further development regarding his respiratory impairment and TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete pulmonary function test results, and requests additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record since the last decision in 2017. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's asbestosis and residual scar, status-post removal of a pilonidal cyst were denied ratings. The decision for the asbestosis was due to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) not meeting criteria for a compensable rating. For the scar, no pain or instability was found prior to February 22, 2016, and after that date, no additional disabling effects were found warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and progression of his foot condition during service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for asbestosis is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for stress fractures is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease caused or aggravated his asthma, as well as if any symptoms of asthma can be separated from his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for IBS (claimed as chronic diarrhea), headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, deviated septum, TMJ, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for silicosis and asbestosis have been denied.,The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to asbestos or silica, and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to June 1, 2015, for the grant of service connection for bilateral toenail onychomycosis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a sinus disability, asbestos exposure, tendonitis, respiratory disability, and residuals from burns have all been withdrawn. The effective date for his service connection claims for bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain is now set at November 11, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for adenocarcinoma of the right lung and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asbestosis and COPD.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 1, 2016. The Board has now determined that the earlier effective date of November 1, 2010 should be granted as part of the initial increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied because the claimed stressor has not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's asbestos-related pleural plaques were granted an initial rating of 60 percent, effective from February 21, 2013. The VA determined that the Veteran's FVC was between 50-64% predicted during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting an asbestos-related lung disorder and insufficient medical opinions regarding COPD and left axillary lymph node removal. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions.