Asbestosis decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, pulmonary hypertension, and COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service or asbestos exposure. The cause of death was listed as pulmonary arrest due to severe COPD and recent pulmonary embolism.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for asbestosis, bronchitis, reactive airway disease, and coronary artery disease were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung disability, claimed as asbestosis and due to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, respiratory disorder (asbestosis), hypertension, kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity disorders, are all denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection.

The Board has remanded the issue due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) is partially granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, and sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected conditions) are all denied. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and asbestosis, due to inadequate medical opinion regarding in-service exposure. The special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asbestosis, due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service asbestos exposure and the presence of asbestosis. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disease, which is presumed to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a lung condition, claimed as due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's VA treatment records show in-service and post-service shoulder complaints and a current diagnosis of shoulder pain. For his lung condition claim, additional medical evidence is needed to determine if he currently has a lung disability related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial staged ratings for asbestosis, finding that there is no evidence of current asbestosis and thus denying all claims.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were remanded due to procedural issues, lack of updated pulmonary function tests, and the need for further development regarding lung cancer.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, as the evidence shows that it likely began during his service.,The lung condition claims are remanded due to lack of VA examination and missing service records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, and lung disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rhinitis, smell disturbance, taste disturbance, asbestosis, headaches, and liver disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to service.