Asthma decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted by the Board in July 1999, effective April 28, 1999. The earliest evidence of record indicating that his service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment is a medical statement dated on April 28, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, bronchial asthma, and a skin condition as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claim for pension benefits due to non-service connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the extent of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to events in service and granted his claim. The asthma claim was also granted, but without a specific rating assigned.

The Board denied increased evaluations for bronchial asthma, gout, and hiatal hernia. The veteran's service-connected conditions are evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage to other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, which was first noted in service and identified on a VA examination in July 1998, had its inception during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma and COPD were not incurred or aggravated during service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions worsening in service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to establish a connection between these disabilities and service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, effective April 7, 1999. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma, and the December 6, 1956 rating decision denying service connection did not constitute clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's asthma, low back disorder, vaginitis and vaginal infections, and residuals of a C-section are all found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required to comply with the VCAA, including obtaining service medical records and other relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchial asthma is remanded due to incomplete development of his claims file.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's asthma was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the initial ratings assigned for hypertension, bronchial asthma, postoperative residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy with a history of perirectal abscess, and frostbite of the fingers are appropriate.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma was aggravated in service and granted service connection for it. The claim for reopening of his asthma claim is also granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an additional apportionment of the veteran's compensation benefits on behalf of their minor child, finding that the veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for support and there was no demonstrated hardship.

The Board granted a 60 percent evaluation for asthma effective October 7, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an initial compensable disability evaluation for a healed avulsion fracture, tip of the left lateral malleolus. The veteran was not diagnosed with asthma during or after service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic respiratory disability did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service, including exposure to Persian Gulf War conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bronchial asthma, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.