Asbestosis decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis and determined that he did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension due to lack of permanent total disability.

The Board has found that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for asbestosis. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a higher evaluation for asbestosis with asbestos-related pleural effusion, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diarrhea, and residuals of asbestos exposure due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a psychiatric disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for asbestosis, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted from January 23, 1995 to May 19, 1996 and that a rating in excess of 30 percent was not warranted on or after May 20, 1996.