Asthma decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher disability rating for his bronchial asthma. The RO granted service connection in July 1998 with a 30 percent rating effective October 29, 1997.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic rhinitis with sinusitis and bronchial asthma have been denied. The temporary total disability rating based on surgery in April 1996 has also not been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that his claim was not well grounded.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing asthma was aggravated by his active military service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a nervous disorder, bone deficiency, and diverticulosis. The claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma is also denied.

The veteran's asthma, which began or worsened during service, is granted as service connection.

The veteran was granted a 100% evaluation for asthma from October 7, 1996 to July 20, 1997. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any service connection theory involving exposure or other factors.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board finds that there is not a reasonable possibility of valid claims concerning the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, bilateral eye disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, asthma, low back disability, hypoglycemia, bilateral hand and ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, acquired cognitive disorder, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and residuals of Epstein-Barr virus infection. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of a back condition, hypertension, left knee disability, mental illness, and asthma/bronchial disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for myopia and a chronic right eye disorder are denied as they lack legal entitlement under the governing regulation. The claim for service connection for asthma is not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder, asthma with obstructive disease, sensory nerve entrapment of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, were denied. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bronchial asthma, and residuals of a fracture of the right 4th metacarpal due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a psychiatric disorder, as well as his requests for higher ratings for right and left knee disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, alcoholism, and PTSD. The RO previously denied these claims in April 1992 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for tinea pedis and folliculitis, asthma, memory loss and sleep disturbance, painful joints, and infection secondary to shots are not well grounded. The claim for asthma is considered well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma with emphysema warrants a 100 percent rating, effective October 7, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis on a direct basis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's asthma has been rated at 30 percent since July 1992. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's death was related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for the cause of his death. The appellant is also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.