Asbestosis decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting pulmonary function tests.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and a stomach disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased initial disability rating and a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected calcified pleural plaques. The veteran was rated at 10 percent disabling for this condition, but the appeal is now closed as he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings or a total rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current asbestosis is related to in-service asbestos exposure, and thus service connection for asbestosis is granted.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestos-related pleural disease is incurred in active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, and asbestos exposure. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previous claims related to tobacco use/nicotine dependence and cold injury.

The Board found that the veteran does not have asbestosis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, skin conditions, and granuloma of the right lung due to asbestos exposure. The bilateral knee disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asbestosis, and hypertension. The decision also noted that new evidence did not reopen claims for pes planus and arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an asbestos-related disease, finding no current evidence of such a condition and concluding that the veteran did not have a qualifying exposure to asbestos during his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining exposure to asbestos.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have a current respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and asbestos-related pleural disease. The VA examiner concluded that the appellant's service exposure to asbestos did not result in a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the veteran's claimed lung disorder. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.