Asthma decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues, and the appellant's claim of increased evaluation for bronchial asthma remains pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma disability, as currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for bronchial asthma with COPD, effective from September 1997. The veteran's appeal is now resolved as the RO assigned a higher rating than requested.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and asthma, finding that the veteran's current respiratory problems are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to smoke in service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma did not manifest during service or due to a service-connected condition, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma does not render him unemployable due to his condition as it is manageable with medication and allows for sedentary work.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, and emphysema due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with VCAA notification requirements.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for asthma and corneal scar of the right eye.

The veteran's asthma requires daily inhalation or oral bronchodilator therapy, warranting a 30 percent rating. Her low back disorder is rated at 20 percent due to moderate limitation of lumbar motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his asthma/reactive airways disease with left spontaneous pneumothorax times two, status post thoracotomy. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating from March 2, 1996 to October 6, 1996 and a 30 percent rating thereafter.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and dermatitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 1970 rating decision is new and material, thus reopening the claim for service connection for bronchial asthma.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (recurrent carcinoma of the face, bronchial asthma, right groin scar, and sinusitis) prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cough-variant asthma disorder is likely to have begun during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and a left eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma and sinusitis were incurred during service, with no presumption of soundness at entry. The claims for both conditions are granted.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's bronchial asthma, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, effective from the date of the decision.