Asthma decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma preexisted his entry upon active service and was not aggravated therein, leading to a denial of service connection.

The VA has already awarded a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, and there is no evidence to support an increase in this rating.

The veteran's asthma has been rated at 30 percent since December 1961. After a review of recent medical records, the VA determined that his current manifestations meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating under the new version of Diagnostic Code 4.97, effective October 7, 1996.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is currently no more than moderate in severity, with frequent asthmatic attacks and moderate dyspnea on exertion.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and granted a 30% evaluation for bronchial asthma, effective from May 10, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for alopecia areata and service connection for bronchial asthma. The claim to reopen a back condition was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, to include consideration as due to mustard gas exposure, is well grounded. The RO must now determine if the veteran was exposed to mustard gas at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center from chamber tests and grant service connection accordingly.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the veteran's current asthma disability is related to an allergic reaction to Septra medication used in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present back disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for asthma. The veteran's sister provided a statement, VA outpatient treatment records were submitted, and the veteran testified in support of his claim. The RO will conduct further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sinus and lung conditions, diagnosed as chronic rhinosinusitis, bronchial asthma, and chronic bronchitis, were likely caused by exposure to environmental conditions while serving in Korea.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma due to mustard gas exposure, finding no reasonable possibility of establishing a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is being remanded due to incomplete and conflicting medical evidence, including illegible records from a private physician. The VA needs to obtain additional treatment records and provide the veteran with another VA pulmonary examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current asthma or COPD, and there is no evidence of such conditions during service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for headaches and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was denied. The veteran is currently employed full-time, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma is related to her military service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The veteran's asthma and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were granted service connection, but neither condition was rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's bronchitis and bronchial asthma, left knee medial meniscectomy, fractures of various bones, tinea pedis, and bilateral plantar warts.