Asbestosis decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the evaluation for asbestosis should be remanded due to lack of rationale and contrary indications in the Schedule. The relationship between CHF and asbestosis needs clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for alcoholism, asbestosis, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure in service and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, asbestosis, and pneumoconiosis, is granted service connection. Placement of an implantable cardiac pacemaker is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service. Ionizing radiation exposure is not considered a qualifying condition for VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's asbestosis and sleep apnea are being evaluated further.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular grounds, finding that the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not provided with a formal TDIU application form, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for further consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and asbestosis, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and conflicting diagnostic findings. The Veteran's pulmonary disabilities are being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestosis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a 20 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (to include as due to herbicide exposure) and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (to include as due to asbestos and herbicide exposure) are stayed. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for asbestosis disease disability, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to link it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current respiratory disorder, including asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding potential asbestos exposure during service and a need for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's asbestosis is related to service or post-service work.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.