Asbestos Related Diseases

[Jim MAC]

Greetings all

I searched and searched but can not find what the VA considers asbestos related diseases. When I look in the Board Descions it keeps refering to DVB Circular 21-88-8, Asbestos Related Diseases. I searched the internet and all I find is BVA descions listing DVB Circular 21-88-8. Does anybody know where I can find that Circular.

Thanks,

Jim

[Guest jstacy]

From what I can interpet, the circular identified the latency period of 10 to 45 years for asbestos to show up as a disease. Asbestos related lung disease can consist of the following conditions. Pulmonary fibrosis, Emphysema, Mesothelioma ( Bad Cancer) also restrictive lung disease with low DLCO volume can be attributed to asbestos exposure. Also certain gastrointestional cancers can be attributed to asbestos exposure. The way to win an asbestos claim is to have a condition, Have documented or proof of in service exposure and also have a list of occupations held after service. ( The VA will ask for all related information to try to blame exposure after service)

[Guest jstacy]

Greetings all

I searched and searched but can not find what the VA considers asbestos related diseases. When I look in the Board Descions it keeps refering to DVB Circular 21-88-8, Asbestos Related Diseases. I searched the internet and all I find is BVA descions listing DVB Circular 21-88-8. Does anybody know where I can find that Circular.

Thanks,

Jim

Is it like this one?http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=Fed&navby=case&no=997173

I will try to find it

[Guest Berta]

If you search hadit for Scheduled C & P Asbestos related lung disease- there is much in there and the memo you referred to-

my PDF couldn't be attached- it is the VA Navy PIES list-

It is the list of Navy occupations and also their association to asbestos-

some have no association, some have highly probable-

If the VA simply goes by your DD 214 there is chance they would overlook other jobs you had while in Navy-

If you give me the occupational codes you had in service- like MM or EN etc. I can look it up on the list and see what VA says as to exposure level-

[Jim MAC]

If you search hadit for Scheduled C & P Asbestos related lung disease- there is much in there and the memo you referred to-

my PDF couldn't be attached- it is the VA Navy PIES list-

It is the list of Navy occupations and also their association to asbestos-

some have no association, some have highly probable-

If the VA simply goes by your DD 214 there is chance they would overlook other jobs you had while in Navy-

If you give me the occupational codes you had in service- like MM or EN etc. I can look it up on the list and see what VA says as to exposure level-

Berta

Thank you as always you are a wealth of knowledge that I wish the VA had. I was Air Force my two Job codes were C2A671A witch basically means Flying Crew Chief, 2A671A Jet engine mechanic. The VA Hospital are the ones who told me I had the scaring of the lungs. That is the first step of the disease. I was a 17 year old kid when I enlisted in the Air force ( worked pumping gas.) I retired in 2003 after 24 years in USAF so there is no way it can not be related to service. As always thanks for all you do.

Jim

[Guest jstacy]

Jim, copy this link from th e CDC concerning asbestos. It is generalized but states symptoms and signs of asbestos exposure.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/asbestosexposure2.html

[Guest jstacy]

Jim, copy this link from th e CDC concerning asbestos. It is generalized but states symptoms and signs of asbestos exposure.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/asbestosexposure2.html

I copied this from the old hadit board:

Department of Veterans Affairs Memorandum

Date: May 13, 2002

From: Mary M. Parker

Subj: Asbestos claims

To: PIES Coordinators, Military Records Specialists Thru: Veterans Service Center Managers CC: Gloria Hamly, Naval Sea

Systems Command

1. This memo is intended to spell out, as clearly as possible, what VA PIES users at all field stations need to do when they

receive a response to request code 016 [ASBESTOS - FURNISH RECORDS OF EXPOSURE IN SERVICE OR JOBS VETERAN PERFORMED] from the

VA PIES Unit at NPRC.

2. First, some background. Cases involving asbestos exposure generally relate to Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos

while working on Navy ships. The service record does not usually contain documents stating specifically whether or not the veteran was exposed to asbestos. So, VA PIES Unit personnel used to make copies of pages from the service record showing assignments, and transfers and receipts, which they sent to the Navy liaison office at code 13 (NPRC), where one of the Navy liaison staff would review some charts and provide a statement regarding probability of exposure to asbestos, based on ratings the service person held while in service. The Navy liaison Office is no longer staffed to perform this duty in response to VARO (PIES) requests. Consequently, we have developed new procedures for handling asbestos cases.

3. In response to an 016 request, VA PIES Unit personnel at NPRC will continue to either make copies of records stating the veteran was exposed to asbestos, or if no such documents can be found, make copies of pages from the service record showing assignments, and transfers and receipts. They will then post response code # 1 (requested documents mailed/faxed)in PIES and send the photocopies directly to the appropriate VA Regional Office.

4. Regional Offices should refer to the attached chart which shows Navy Job Titles (Ratings) and Probability of Exposure to make determinations regarding the likelihood of exposure. If, for any reason, more details regarding rate descriptions or more rates are needed, you may also go

5. For assistance in unusual cases, such as a negative determination which leads to a Board of Veterans Appeals remand or congressional follow. up, the Military Records Specialists at each station may contact Gloria Hamly at the following address:

Commander, Naval Sea Systems Com'mand, Attn: OTP (G Hamly), 1333 Isaac Hull Ave. S.E. Stop 1210, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. 20376-1210, or via or e-mail: Hamlygp@navsea.navy.mil for assistance. Please be sure to furnish as much information as possible : name, service number, social security number, assignments, transfers, receipts, ratings, etc. to assist her in her search.

6. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mary Parker via Exchange or telephone 314-538-4296.

/s/ MARY M. PARKER ENCLOSURE

JOB TITLES PROBABILITY

(AA) Airman Apprentice Minimal

(ABE) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch&RecEquip) Probable

(ASF) Aviation Boatswain's Mate Probable

(ASH) Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handler) Probable

(AC) Air Traffic Controller Minimal

(ACM) Aviation Chief Metalsmith Probable

(ADJ) Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) Probable

ADR) Aviation Machinist's Mate Probable

(AE) Aviation Electrician's Mate Probable

(AFCM) Aircraft Maintenanceman (Master Chief) Minimal

(AG) Aerographer's Mate Minimal

(AK) Aviation Storekeeper Minimal

(AM) Aviation Structural Mechanic Probable

(AME) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) Probable

(AMH) Aviation Structural Mechanic-Hydraulics Probable

(AMS) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structural) Probable

(AN) Airman Minimal (AO) Aviation Ordnanceman Minimal

(AQ) Aviation Fire Control Technician Highly Probable

(AR) Airman Recruit Minimal

(ARM) Aviation Radioman Probable

(AS) Aviation Support Equipment Technician Probable

(AT) Aviation Electronic Technician Probable

(AW) Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator Probable

(AZ) Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Minimal

(;) Boilermaker (WWII) Highly Probable

(BU) Builder Probable.

(BM) Boatswain's Mate Minimal

(BR) Boilermaker Highly Probable

(BT) Boiler Technician Highly Probable

(CD) Construction Driver Probable

(CE) Construction Electrician Probable

(CM) Construction Mechanic Minimal

(CN) Construction man Probable

(Cox) Coxswain Minimal

(CS) Commissaryman Minimal

(CT) Communication Technician Minimal

(CTR) Cryptologic Technician (Collections) Minimal

(DC) Damage Control man MinimCilI (DK) Disbursing Clerk Minimal

(DP) Data Processing Technician Minimal

(DS) Data System Technician Minimal

(DT) Dental Technician Minimal 4WEM Ele. ctrician's Mate Probable

(EN) Engineman Probable Eqllipment Operator Minimal

(ET) Electronics Technician Probable ~

Fire Controlman Highly Probable ~

Fireman Highly Probable

(FP) Pipefitter Highly Probable

(FT) Fire Control Technician Highly Probable

(FTG) Fire Control Technician Guns) Highly Probable

(GM) Gunner's Mate Minimal

(GSM) Gas Turbine System Technician(Mechanical) Probable

(HC) Hospital Corpsman Minimal

(HN) Hospitalman Minimal

(HT) Hull Maintenance Technician Highly Probable

(IC) Interior Communication Technician Probable

(1M) Instrumentman Highly Probable

(LI) Lithographer Minimal

(M)(ME) Metalsmith Minimal

(MA) Master-At-Arms Minimal

(MLC) Molder Probable

(MM) Machinistċ Mate Probable

(MN) Mineman Minimal

(MOMM) Motor Machinist Mate Probable

(MR) Machinery Repairman Minimal

(MS) Mess Management Specialist Minimal

(MT) Missile Technician Probable

(MU) Musician Minimal

(NC) Navy Counselor Minimal

(OM) Opticalman Minimal

(OS) Operations Specialist Minimal

(PC) Postal Clerk Minimal

(PJ...I\ PhotoaraDher's Mate Minimal

(PHM) Pharmacist Minimal

(PN) Personnelman Minimal

(prtr) Printer Minimal

(PT) Photographic Intelligenceman Minimal

(PTR) Painter Probable

(QM) Quartermaster Minimal

(RO) Radarman Minimal

(RM) Radioman Minimal

(RN) Radarman Minimal

(SC) Ship's Cook Minimal

(SO) Stewart Minimal

(SF) Shipfitter Minimal

(SFM) Shipfitter (Metal Smith) Minimal

(SFP) Shipfitter (Pipefitter) Minimal

(SH) Ship's Serviceman Minimal

(SK) Storekeeper Minimal

(SM) Signalman. Minimal

(SN) Seaman Minimal

(SO) Sonarman Highly Probable

(SoM) Sound man Highly Probable

(ST) Sonor Technician Highly Probable

(STG)Sonar Technician (Surface) Highly Probable

(SOG) in 60's (STS) Sonar Technician (Submarine) Highly Probable

(StM) Steward's Mate Minimal

(SW) Steelworker Probable

(TA) Stewart Apprentice Minimal

(TO) Trademan Minimal

(TE) Teletype Minimal

Torpedoman's Mate Probable

(TN) Stewardsman Minimal

(UT) Utilitiesman Highly Probable

(Wf) Water Tender. Highly Probable

IV\ VQnm~n Minimal