Asbestos exposure and Lung ailments

[sunnyh]

My mos was 62f20 heavy equipment operator

and I worked in a motor pool in the 70's.

One of my assigned  tasks was to make gaskets.

 

I made gaskets with sheets of asbestos by pounding

on the pliable and fibrous sheets against a part with a hammer.

That's how we made our gaskets in the 1970's.

Asbestos fibers flew around in the air that we breathed.

 

We had cleanup at the end of the day and swept the

mechanics bays. It was nothing to see a big cloud of dust

kicked up in the air. Asbestos fibers were surely in the air

we breathed.

 

We also used high pressure water to clean big pieces

of equipment that may have loosened more asbestos

fibers that we breathed.

 

We had no masks or ventilators or even Shop Vacs

that I can remember.

 

I have COPD and have had breathing tests at VA

and at other places.  I'm going to get an appointment with a top

pulmonary and sleep disorder doctor soon.

>I had to pay an old bill today to the medical group she is in

before they will give me an appointment.

 

Anyway, does anyone here on Hadit have service connection

for COPD? If so, how did you get service connected?

 

 

PS I'm not going to the doctor for sleep studies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2016 by sunnyh

[broncovet]

Service connection is always the same, and you need the Big 3 DOCUMENTED in your records:

1.  Current diagnosis.  It sounds like you have been diagnosed COPD.  

2.  In service event or aggravation.  Again, hopefully what you posted is DOCUMENTED in your service records.  

3.  YOu also need a nexus or doctors statement that your COPD is "at least as likely as not" due to asbestos exposure in the military service.  

By the way, if you refuse to see a doctor about this, then you wont get compensation, as this all needs to be documented by a doctor or medical professional.  "Lay statments" wont suffice, altho they could help to establish item number 2, above, especially if this is accompanied by either a buddy letter or supervisor confirming that you made gaskets from asbestos, and had to sweep it up.  

[sunnyh]

#3 Nope asbestos exposure is not in my SMR.

Creosote exposure is.

I didn't even know asbestos was dangerous in the 70's

The 'at least as likely as not' would only be a result of the

doctor seeing my service medical records and her diagnosis right?

 

Lay statement from squad leader is possible since he was

the person who assigned the task.

 

Thanks again for your practical knowledge Broncovet

 

 

 

[sunnyh]

Asbestos seems to have been in alot of items from

crayons to pianos to M60 gun mittens and gas masks.

http://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Products.php

 

*I'm so mad at VA for PTSD increase/tdiu denial letters coming my way.

This asbestos stuff is just the fallout from my disappointment.

 

I think I'd have to sue the asbestos company if the doctor says I have asbestositis.

Good to know about Asbestos if you ever buy an antique or collectible that may be contaminated with asbestos paint/filler/fibers.

Edited August 10, 2016 by sunnyh

[sunnyh]

55 minutes ago, broncovet said:

By the way, if you refuse to see a doctor about this, then you wont get compensation, as this all needs to be documented by a doctor or medical professional.

I had angel wings on my lung xray in February 2016 and have just

been putting off going to the doctor.

[broncovet]

Im not an expert radiologist, but "angel wings" sounds rather serious.  I would humbly suggest you seek treatment and benefits for this right away, and get some help to do this.    Do you have a family member who can/will help you?    

[Gastone]

70's exposure, right. No Nam, Boots on the Ground?

You have a COPD DX from a non VA Dr, right. If your from the 70's, any chance you were a Heavy Smoker until early or later middle-age?

I think asbestos exposure Lung issues (ex: Mesothelioma) and possibly COPD can be determined with a Lung Biopsy. The general VA Pulmonary Lung Function test, only verifys the DX of the condition, not the cause (etiology). For Comp SC, it all comes down to the (At least as likely as not or the more likely 50% or greater than not) medical etiology provided by a Pulmonary Specialist, VA or Private.

Start an FDC (Fully Developed Claim) for COPD caused by Active Duty Asbestos Exposure, just don't hit the submit button yet (you have 12 months). Just starting the FDC locks in your File Date for Retro purposes. Then get busy locating your substantiating exposure Evidence. When you get your supporting Evidence of exposure and a couple Top Medical Articles linking Asbestos Exposure to the development of COPD, attach everything as pdf's to your Electronic Claim and hit the Submit Button. Within 6 mos, you should have an Award or Denial.

Semper Fi