Asbestosis decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, otitis, and lung disorders. The issues of bilateral foot disorder were also addressed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between the veteran's current asbestosis and his military service. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied.

The Board finds the veteran's claim of service connection for asbestosis is well-grounded and grants this claim. The application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for nerve damage and a pituitary tumor secondary to ionizing radiation will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for asbestosis due to its well-grounded nature. The other issues remain unresolved and need further development.

The Board granted an effective date of August 15, 1991 for the award of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral hand pain, and shortness of breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure). The claim for a low back disorder is pending. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for a bilateral knee disorder or right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of asbestos exposure or facial nerve and muscle disabilities related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims. The shell fragment wound scars are also not compensable.

The Board found that the initial 10% evaluation for asbestosis from January 13, 1992 was proper and denied a higher evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation greater than 60% for asbestosis from October 23, 1995 through May 20, 1997 is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and remanded the issue of an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of an upper respiratory infection.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for asbestosis is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for asbestosis is well grounded and grants the claim.

The veteran's claims of service connection for elevated triglycerides and disability due to asbestos exposure were denied as there is no medical evidence of a diagnosed disability with respect to either claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and for a higher rating for his asbestos-related lung disease. The evidence did not support the occurrence of in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and there was no credible supporting evidence that the asbestos-related lung condition had worsened.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis and found it well grounded, but denied the claim due to lack of evidence linking current asbestosis to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and right ankle disability are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of these conditions, nor is there sufficient medical evidence to link them to his military service or any other relevant factor.