Occupational Asbestos Exposure Statistice

[Guest jstacy]

Hello, I was researching Asbestos exposure and I found this link. It is the most informative site I have seen so far concerning asbestosis. Use Caustion the Numbers on the charts are scary.

http://www2a.cdc.gov/drds/WorldReportData/...ectionTitleID=1

JJ

[Guest Morgan]

Thanks for this, John. Moving to Oklahoma is looking better and better.

I have just heard from a vet I have been helping about a development in his asbestos exposure claim. He is dying of lung disease, which Dr. Bash diagnosed as service-related asbestosis. The veteran also has recent diagnosis of bladder cancer and was expecting nothing but good news from his claims for service connection. Until last week.

The VARO asked for a statement from the OPC about his lung condition, as related to asbestos exposure. The pulmonologist ordered a CT. Results: no pleural thickening, no plueral plaques, no interstitial fibrosis, no active lung disease! The man has a list as long as his arm of VA medications for lung disease, on O2 and inhalers for years, and has cor pumonale, which all victims of asbestos disease eventually gets. He passes out from poor gas exchange and has numerous VA diagnostic tests stating interstitial fibrosis, restrictive lung disease. In addition, transcripts from his SS disability hearing prove that it is not from occupational contaminants, because he had tried to get SS disability on that. A medical expert (SSA) testified that his lung disease was not occupation related. That was bad for him then, but good now. Still we have to deal with the VA's stupid remarks. Dr. B is going to look at the VA CT scan. I expect it to be another scathing doctor to doctor punch out like the ones Dorothy posted.

I think this post might hold more information for the veteran.

On another note, you are right, this is scary. Dana Reeve died last week with lung cancer and was a nonsmoker, with no "known" chemical exposure. I heard one of the doctor's say this is becoming more prevalent among nonsmokers, especially women. One has to wonder about the asbestos issue. I've heard many speak of "heavy exposure" related to asbestos claims, but it doesn't take heavy exposure to be disabled from it. It's known as the "bystander's lung disease." Some wives of pipefitters and shipyard workers died of lung disease because they were exposed by washing they husband's clothes.

[Guest jstacy]

I feel real bad for this vet and It is tragic because the VA uses all the negatives to discern any asbestos related claim. Proving exposure is difficult especially if you are a peace time Vet.

I Hope Craig Bash can find something to rebut the VA findings on the CT scan. I do have 1 question, Was the CT scan a High resolution ct. If not it was an inaccurate exam in the first place.

[Guest Morgan]

John,

He was in Cuba during the great standoff.

The only details I got was the scan was "without contrast." I'm not sure if that is high resolution. Doesn't sound like it would be.

Edited March 13, 2006 by Morgan

[Guest jstacy]

Morgan, A ct scan w/o contrast is almost the same as a Xray. The Contrast is what shows the tissue. This exam was a set up. It was not a High resolution cat scan. If this Vet has insurance it would be best to get an outside Lung Doctor to prescribe a HRCT. Send both to Dr Bash to look at. I hope the VA did not win this one already. They are definatly waiting out this guys time. It amazes me what these People will do to delay claims. It is criminal.

[Guest Morgan]

John,

The VA hasn't won it yet, the vet's wife got the news from the 800#. We are trying to head them off at the pass. The films are supposed to be on Dr. Bash's desk tomorrow, first thing. The vet's wife talked to the RO last Thursday and she went to the OPC to get copies of everything. She is totally disabled, too, so it's very difficult for her to get out. Still VA makes us do whatever they want.

I think it's a setup too. It is a shame what VA will do. I'm hearing a lot about how often the VA is saying that certain evidence is not in a file but it's as clear as can be that it's there. This is FRAUD.