Asbestosis decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have asbestosis or upper respiratory infections, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorders are not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected asbestosis.

The Board found that the veteran did not have asbestosis at the time of the August 2000 VA examination, and thus service connection for asbestosis was denied.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected asbestosis, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating based on specific findings from pulmonary function tests.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his combined rating includes a 60 percent rating for asbestosis. The Board finds that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an asbestos-related respiratory disorder, as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to asbestos and the disease was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, finding that there was no specific statutory guidance or regulations regarding these claims and noting that further development of evidence is needed to determine if the veteran has a current respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and various respiratory, kidney, and chest conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran claims service connection for asbestosis, but the VA has not been able to verify his exposure to asbestos during service. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and verifying any post-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and as such, grants service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for asbestosis and a right great toe disorder are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's pulmonary disorder, to include asbestosis, as secondary to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development of employment records and a VA examination.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains pending.,For his tinnitus, an additional 10 percent rating has been granted on an extraschedular basis due to its severity.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for asbestosis was denied by the RO, and he appealed to the Board. The VA examiner found that his respiratory impairment is due to multiple factors including service-connected asbestosis, ischemic heart disease, and other unrelated conditions.