Asthma decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Westside VA Medical Center. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that allergic rhinitis was incurred during active duty but Bell's palsy did not meet criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected asthma, effective as of the date of this decision. The claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death (heart failure, cor pulmonale, chronic lung obstruction, and bronchial asthma) is not related to his military service. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting moderate disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death, but denied it due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's death to a service-connected disability.

The VA has granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for bronchial asthma from February 6, 1994 to October 6, 1996 and an increased rating to 30 percent effective October 7, 1996.

The veteran's service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome, bronchial asthma, and anxiety disorder have been rated at their maximum levels since July 10, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma is related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, pes planus, deviated nasal septum, and lung disability (including asthma) due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma but denied reopening of his PTSD claim. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has found no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and concludes that none are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, malaria, dysentery, asthma, and dizziness, were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a medical opinion on whether the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma contributed to his death.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and hepatitis, with a 10% rating already in place for asthma since April 17, 1998.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma with emphysematous changes, effective from May 27, 1959.

The VA Regional Office (RO) in San Juan denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchial asthma, molar extraction residuals, umbilical hernia, generalized arthralgia, and right shoulder separation.