The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis, finding that his PFT results did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' findings and the lack of evidence showing cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption or less with cardiorespiratory limitation, or a need for outpatient oxygen therapy did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20065541
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of August 26, 2010 for the award of a 30 percent evaluation for COPD, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis, while remanding a claim for service connection for coronary artery disease.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbance, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical spine nerve damage to include residual surgical scars was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the notice of disagreement. The claim for asbestosis was denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability.
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