Asthma decisions — 2002

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatism, bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis, and/or malaria. The previous denials were based on a lack of evidence showing these conditions during service or within the regulatory presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bronchial asthma was aggravated by his military service during World War II.

The Board has determined that the prior decision granting service connection for asthma was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring the veteran's service connection.

The Board found no evidence of asthma during service or for many years after, and concluded that the condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's bronchial asthma results in almost daily attacks and marked dyspnea, meeting the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating since May 25, 1990.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's asthma, finding that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either set of rating criteria.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cause of death, pulmonary arrest due to asthma, was not caused by or a result of his service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The veteran did not have a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 10, 2001, for a 60 percent evaluation for asthma with reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected asthma, currently rated at 30 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim that the cost of replacement windows for her residence should be considered as an unusual and unreimbursed medical expense in determining her countable income for improved disability pension purposes.

The veteran's bronchial asthma warrants daily use of prednisone/steroids and the VA has granted a 100 percent disability evaluation for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchial asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, ethmoiditis and pharyngitis, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and a left ankle disability.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death (COPD) was not related to his service-connected disabilities and did not occur due to tobacco use during service. The claim for non-service-connected death pension benefits is denied as the veteran had no recognized guerrilla service and was not a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reactive airway disease (asthma) warrants a 10 percent evaluation since October 7, 1996. The evidence shows occasional episodes of breathing difficulty but no clinical findings between attacks and mild asthmatic episodes not requiring medication.

The veteran's conditions, while severe, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to his ability to care for himself with assistance from his son.

The VA has granted a 60 percent disability rating for bronchial asthma with COPD, effective June 2, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, left foot disorder, and left shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which adequately reflects its severity. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as defined by Diagnostic Code 6602.