Asbestos

[allan]

ASBESTOS

http://www.asbestos.com/

[jbasser]

Allan, pay close attention to your PFT's

Asbestosis is an interstatial pattern while copd is an obstructive pattern.

That alone will separate the smoking and you may have both but it is distinguishable.

J

[68mustang]

There is some information on asbestos exposure on this web site.

68mustang

http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/asbdisease.htm

[Berta]

This BVA award cites many refereneces I used to help an asbestos vet from the local VAMC.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files2/0911543.txt

I was doing this as volunteer work for my former rep-

but the rep never informed me that the veteran had died and the BVA could not go any further with the claim.

He had colon cancer, which can appear decades after asbestos exposure, had never been a smoker, had no post or pre service occupation that put him near asbestos and I also had info as to what happned to the ship he served on (it was salvaged to coast of Iran as asbestos removal was too costly)

He was going to get an IMO last time I saw him from a private oncologist -I dont know if he ever did.

These claims can be awarded but the awards are few and far between.

His rep didnt see the connection until I also found a recent newspaper article where a man with colon cancer had sued a company for asbestos exposure causing his cancer and got millions for it.

There is an asbestos training letter and it should be here at hadit under a search. I used the training letter as evidence to guide VA to the medical information that supported this vet's claim.

In this above decision I can see how BVA referenced the training letter too.

There is a lot that can rule out asbestos related disability even with proven exposure- still that leaves other disabilities that can be ruled in.

I found plenty og evidence to help the vet I mentioned but made it clear to him that our RO was not really reading lay evidence at all and a good IMO on a letterhead from a real doctor might trigger them to award his claim at the RO level.

A vet should always look for any possible inservice reason for their disability.Maybe there is another reason for the thickening- as Philip said.

That reason could be the one that ultimately leads to service connection.

You can raise any potential nexus for any disability you came.I raised and supported with evidence 3 separate bases for SC of my husband's death.The initial reason was awarded

but each possible reason was a potential award.

This BVA award cites many refereneces I used to help an asbestos vet from the local VAMC.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files2/0911543.txt

I was doing this as volunteer work for my former rep-

but the rep never informed me that the veteran had died and the BVA could not go any further with the claim.

He had colon cancer, which can appear decades after asbestos exposure, had never been a smoker, had no post or pre service occupation that put him near asbestos and I also had info as to what happned to the ship he served on (it was salvaged to coast of Iran as asbestos removal was too costly)

He was going to get an IMO last time I saw him from a private oncologist -I dont know if he ever did.

These claims can be awarded but the awards are few and far between.

His rep didnt see the connection until I also found a recent newspaper article where a man with colon cancer had sued a company for asbestos exposure causing his cancer and got millions for it.

There is an asbestos training letter and it should be here at hadit under a search. I used the training letter as evidence to guide VA to the medical information that supported this vet's claim.

In this above decision I can see how BVA referenced the training letter too.

There is a lot that can rule out asbestos related disability even with proven exposure- still that leaves other disabilities that can be ruled in.

I found plenty og evidence to help the vet I mentioned but made it clear to him that our RO was not really reading lay evidence at all and a good IMO on a letterhead from a real doctor might trigger them to award his claim at the RO level.

A vet should always look for any possible inservice reason for their disability.Maybe there is another reason for the thickening- as Philip said.

That reason could be the one that ultimately leads to service connection.

You can raise any potential nexus for any disability you came.I raised and supported with evidence 3 separate bases for SC of my husband's death.The initial reason was awarded

but each possible reason was a potential award.

[sgmdae]

Talk to my Doctor today, she ordered a Breathing test. Can anyone explain what that is, and what they are looking for

I am little nervous about this lung thing

Edited July 28, 2009 by sgmdae

[allan]

The Breathing test is nothing to worry about.

You simply take in a deep breath & let all the air out as long as you can.

It measures what your lungs put out.

Mine measured a moderate lung defect for the PFT(pulmonary function test)

It's a simple non painful test.

[sgmdae]

Thank you allan

There should be more of test for a Asbetos exposure????