Asthma decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, rated at 30 percent disabling from November 25, 1971, through October 6, 1996, did not warrant a higher rating. The veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a separate evaluation for polycythemia and an increased evaluation for bronchial asthma with polycythemia, finding no evidence of current polycythemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, asthma, a left knee disorder, residuals of a right 1st toe contusion, bilateral sebaceous cysts of the peri-auricular region, and loss of vision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma with secondary dysthymia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a separate evaluation of the dysthymia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 17, 1994 to July 27, 1999 and 60 percent from July 28, 1999.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bronchial asthma, and it is now granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma or bronchitis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and concluding that any diagnosed asthma is not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma existed prior to his military service and did not worsen during service. Therefore, it was determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for asthma.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and the need for a pulmonary examination. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, asthma, cataracts, and depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or any aggravation during service. The current conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, each with an initial evaluation of 10 percent. The RO is instructed to readjudicate the claims based on all evidence received since the January 23, 2002 Statement of the Case.

The veteran's asthma is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran claims service connection for bronchial asthma, which developed during service and was aggravated by service. The Board has ordered further development to obtain the necessary medical records and determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's bronchial asthma.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's asthma to his service or any exposure to herbicides, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of asthma at entrance to service, during service, or linking any current disability from asthma to the veteran's period of active service. Therefore, service connection for asthma was denied.

The veteran's appeal of service connection for asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional development by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for small airways disease, which is a respiratory disorder. The veteran's asthma was noted during his active duty and continued after discharge.

The veteran's memory loss, headaches, joint pain, respiratory condition, high blood pressure, and psychiatric disability were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during Persian Gulf service or as undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis, asthma, and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to mustard gas during service and thus no basis for presumptive service connection. The Board also found that his current lung problems were not related to service.