Asbestosis Nexus Letter From Specialist

[68mustang]

Today my pulmonary specialist gave me a nexus letter for my asbestosis that

ended with the following:

His only known exposure to asbestos was from his military service; so it is

possible that this exposure may have contributed to his current medical condition.

I have been diagnose with mild asbestosis and the pulmonary specialist I guess

did not want to state that it was more likely than not due to my military

occupation. This is the best I could get him to write in the letter. Any input

from you all on how this letter will hold up in the VA's decision process would

be appreciated. I don't know if it falls within the 50-50 category of having

caused the asbestosis. Thanks.

68mustang

[carlie]

Today my pulmonary specialist gave me a nexus letter for my asbestosis that

ended with the following:

His only known exposure to asbestos was from his military service; so it is

possible that this exposure may have contributed to his current medical condition.

I have been diagnose with mild asbestosis and the pulmonary specialist I guess

did not want to state that it was more likely than not due to my military

occupation. This is the best I could get him to write in the letter. Any input

from you all on how this letter will hold up in the VA's decision process would

be appreciated. I don't know if it falls within the 50-50 category of having

caused the asbestosis. Thanks.

68mustang

68,

Any chance you can go back to this doc and have him write :

"as likely as not" ?

[sharon]

M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section C

9

h. Considering ServiceConnection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Asbestos During Service

When deciding a claim for service connection for a disability resulting from

exposure to asbestos

 determine whether or not service records demonstrate the veteran was

exposed to asbestos during service

 ensure that development is accomplished to determine whether or not the

veteran was exposed to asbestos either before or after service, and

 determine whether or not a relationship exists between exposure to asbestos

and the claimed disease, keeping in mind latency and exposure factors.

Notes:

 As always, resolve reasonable doubt in the claimant's favor.

 If assistance in deciding a case is needed, contact the Compensation and

Pension (C&P) Service Policy Staff (211).

Edited July 20, 2010 by sharon

[68mustang]

Thank you for responding. My military occupations were Boiler Technician and Engineman and both are high on the list of military jobs that can lead to asbestos exposure. My exposure happened while stationed on a WWII type destroyer during the 1960's.

I probably could not get the specialist to change the letter. I had made corrections to a letter that he had first given me. The correction I added was "more likely than not". What I got was totally different than what I asked for. I am lucky to get it after more than three months of waiting.Thanks.

68mustang