Asthma decisions — 2000

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, chronic rhinitis, or major depression with psychotic features due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bronchial asthma is currently well-managed with inhalers, his headaches do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his conditions of hypothyroidism, irritable colon syndrome, rash due to an undiagnosed illness, and joint and bone pain due to an undiagnosed illness are not supported by evidence showing they are related to service or the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma as secondary to pulmonary emphysema and an increased rating for his pulmonary emphysema, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for asthma due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The claim is now considered well-grounded.

The Board denied service connection for tinea versicolor and upheld the initial 60 percent rating for asthma. The right eye condition remains at a noncompensable level.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the basic functions of self-care, or prevent him from protecting himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, or cause him to be so helpless as to be in need of regular personal assistance from others. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's son's eligibility for helpless child benefits due to insufficient evidence showing permanent incapacity before reaching 18 years of age.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing asthma existed prior to service and was not permanently aggravated by military service.

The Board has found that the veteran's asthma disorder existed prior to service and increased in severity during his active military service. The claim for service connection for an additional lung disorder, including asbestosis, is well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, which preexisted service, was aggravated by her military service. The claim is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's bronchial asthma is currently manifested by daily use of multiple inhalers and oral medications, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.