Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure

Overview

In This Section

This section contains the topic “ Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure.”

1. Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure

Introduction

This topic contains information on developing claims for SC for asbestos-related diseases, including

• evidentiary review for asbestos exposure
• use of Navy Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to determine probability of in-service asbestos exposure
• consideration of all evidence in the claims folder in determining in-service asbestos exposure
• occupational exposure to asbestos, and
• exposure to asbestos during World War II (WWII) in insulation and shipyard workers to include Navy Veterans.

Change Date

July 29, 2021

VIII.iii.7.C.1.a. Evidentiary Review for Asbestos Exposure

In most cases, a Veteran’s service records will not directly document exposure to asbestos. In such cases, after sending the development letter, when required, and obtaining the military personnel records, utilize the table below to determine the most relevant evidence for evaluating the likelihood of asbestos exposure based on the circumstances of the Veteran’s service.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.b. Use of Navy MOS to Determine Probability of In-Service Asbestos Exposure

The table below describes the probability of asbestos exposure by Navy MOS.

Important:

• If a Veteran from another branch of service, including, but not limited to, Coast Guard, held one of the occupations listed below, concede the probability of exposure accordingly.
• This list is not exclusive and exposure may be otherwise demonstrated on review of the claims folder. Each claim based on asbestos exposure must be adjudicated on its own merit with MOS being one consideration in determining whether there was an exposure event.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.c. Consideration of All Evidence in the Claims Folder in Determining In-Service Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure is not exclusive to Naval Veterans and may have been incurred in occupational capacities that are not included on the MOS list. Asbestos exposure may be demonstrated upon review of the claims folder on a basis other than MOS.

Any evidence that is probative of (serves to establish) asbestos exposure may be used to support a determination that asbestos exposure occurred. Determining whether evidence proves a Veteran was exposed to asbestos requires an evaluation of all of the evidence in the case, including

• an assessment of the credibility of the evidence, and
• whether the evidence establishes that the exposure occurred.

In determining whether asbestos exposure has been demonstrated by the evidence of record, consider

• occupational exposure
• exposure information that the Veteran provides in response to the asbestos development letter, to include lay testimony
• service personnel records
• service treatment records
• buddy statements, and
• all other evidence located in the claims folder or identified by the Veteran relevant to the determination of asbestos exposure.

Notes:

• The term credibility refers to believable evidence that tends to support the Veteran’s assertion based on consideration of plausibility, consistency with other evidence in the case, and source.
• Once asbestos exposure has been demonstrated by the evidence of record and the evidence contains competent lay or medical evidence of a current diagnosed disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of disability, accept the Veteran’s lay testimony as sufficient evidence of current symptoms or disease that could potentially be related to asbestos exposure for purposes of requesting an examination and medical opinion.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.d. Occupational Exposures to Asbestos

Some of the major occupations involving exposure to asbestos include

• mining
• milling
• work in shipyards
• insulation work
• demolition of old buildings
• carpentry and construction
• manufacture and servicing of friction products, such as clutch facings and brake linings, and
• manufacture and installation of products, such as
• roofing and flooring materials
• asbestos cement sheet and pipe products, and
• military equipment.

Note: Exposure to any simple type of asbestos is unusual except in mines and mills where the raw materials are produced.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.e. Exposure to Asbestos During WWII in Insulation and Shipyard Workers to Include Navy Veterans

High exposure to asbestos and a high prevalence of disease have been noted in insulation and shipyard workers.

During World War II (WWII), several million people employed in U.S. shipyards and U.S. Navy Veterans were exposed to chrysotile products as well as amosite and crocidolite since these varieties were used extensively in military ship construction.

Important: Many of these people have only recently come to medical attention because of the potentially long latent period between first exposure and development of disease.