Asbestosis Board decisions

The Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder.

The Board is unable to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, breathing problems, and vision problems due to service connection issues. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's asbestosis resulted in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 94 percent predicted or more, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by the single breath method (DLCO (SB)) of 89 percent predicted or more prior to July 29, 2016. On and after July 29, 2016, the Veteran's asbestosis resulted in a FVC of greater than 50 percent predicted; a DLCO (SB) of greater than 40 percent predicted and a maximum exercise capacity greater than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation. The Board finds that neither period warrants an increased rating.

The Board found no credible evidence of asbestos exposure during service and denied the claim for asbestosis or any asbestos-related disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for service-connected asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's asbestosis-related pleural disease and interstitial fibrosis of the lungs were rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2009, and at 60 percent from October 21, 2009 to June 28, 2011. The Board found that these ratings did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is service-connected, but his Asbestosis was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis, pleural scarring, and fibrosis. The evidence did not support a finding that his current lung disability was caused by in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asbestosis is not warranted, and thus January 9, 2015 is both the earliest date of claim and possible effective date for the June 2015 grant of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board finds that there is at least a 50% probability it is related to his military service. The other claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his COPD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing personnel and service treatment records, and addingendum opinions addressing the likelihood that the Veteran's lung and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing and because he still desires a hearing on his claims before the Board.

The Veteran's cause of death is found to be related to his service-connected asbestos-related disorder with pleural thickening and scarring, which contributed substantially to his death. The Board grants the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (claimed as frostbite), spine disability, chronic myeloid leukemia, skin cancer, leukocytosis, and lung condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current interstitial lung disease is related to his military service, including asbestos exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's pulmonary disorder, asbestosis, or emphysema. The decision is mixed because some conditions were granted while others were denied.