Asbestosis decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for asbestosis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lung condition, including asbestos-related pleural disease, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for COPD is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a direct relationship to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and following any form of gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma and respiratory disorder, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for asbestosis with pleural plaques due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include asbestosis. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities are remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lung disorder, claimed as asbestosis and sleep apnea, to include as due to in-service exposure of asbestos, for further development.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating for asbestosis, and the Board has no jurisdiction to consider this issue further.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary aspergilloma, COPD, and lung cancer due to in-service exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust/particulate matter. The right knee condition secondary to a service-connected left knee total replacement is dismissed.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's pulmonary conditions based on his in-service exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust/particulate matter.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for asbestosis (claimed as a skin rash) because it was rendered moot by the grant of service connection for atopic dermatitis in a February 2021 rating decision.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for increased evaluation of pleural plaques, service connection for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and gastric and/or stomach disability.

The Board remands the matter for a medical opinion to interpret the Veteran's pulmonary function tests and determine which test most accurately reflects the level of respiratory disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, claimed as asbestosis of the lungs, finding no diagnosis of asbestosis and insufficient evidence linking any lung condition to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asbestosis and a lung condition, and entitlement to Aid and Attendance for spouse due to insufficient evidence.