Asbestosis — all decisions

The Board has remanded both issues due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need for SSA disability records and Appellant's medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a crush injury to the left index finger. The remaining issues regarding heart condition, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and melanoma are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's asbestosis claim was denied for a compensable rating from October 22, 2018 to December 12, 2023. A 30% rating is granted beginning December 12, 2023. Service connection for an allergy disability secondary to the service-connected asbestosis is denied.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection, but the claim for asbestosis remains pending due to lack of a clear and unmistakable evidence (CUE) that he does not have the condition.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to the October 2023 rating decision deferring action on the claim, making it unappealable.

The Board remands the appeal for an addendum opinion regarding the service-connected asbestosis, specifically addressing why a DLCO test was not performed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further consideration of his claims, including the entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 27, 2014 and an earlier effective date for establishment of basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions, specifically obtaining a high resolution CT scan and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and asbestos-related lung disease, as the previous examination was found inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for emphysema and denied asbestosis, while dismissing the appeals seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and right hip joint replacement. The TDIU claim was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, asbestosis, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), sleep apnea, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically his diagnoses and their relation to service. The VA will need to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos during service and schedule a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and asbestosis due to new evidence being added by VA, requiring a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in July 2016, which did not address the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed respiratory disabilities including COPD and asthma. The case is now pending for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to asbestos exposure, hearing loss disabilities, and a right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The cervical spine and wrist nerve disabilities remain under consideration.