I'm assisting my Vietnam-era uncle with his VA Disability claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and small cell carcinoma of the lung related to working with petro-chemicals and asbestos while serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Pawcatuck. The claim was filed in August 2020 and was denied 12/9/2020. My uncle was diagnosed with bone and brain cancer in August 2020.
They denied his claim for asbestos due to them not finding any scarring on his lungs. The problem I have is that they made no mention of the chemicals he used to work with aboard the ship and claimed his job (Boatswains mate) would not come in contact with any kind of these chemicals.
We will file a NOD but I'm looking for any assistance with veterans that have successfully won their disability claims due to working with petro chemicals.
Thanks in advance.