Asthma decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma. The criteria for service connection are met, with consideration given to the veteran's history of childhood asthma and exposure to fumes during military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including seeking information about gas exposure during service and obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's asthma was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.

The veteran's asthma and hay fever were noted at the time of his entry into service, but he was discharged due to hay fever. The Board is remanding the case for further development including a VA medical examination.

The veteran's appeal was denied as there is no evidence of a service connection for the claimed conditions, including learning disabilities and health problems in his children. The claim was dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the February 1977 rating decision denying service connection for asthma was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The earlier effective date claim remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, residuals of left lower lobe atelectasis (including COPD and asthma), and residuals of fractured ribs with atelectasis. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder claimed as the result of Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for anxiety neurosis, bronchial asthma, and rhinosinusitis and pansinusitis. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss were aggravated by his military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that asthma and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma. The veteran's appeal must be reopened.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bronchial asthma was granted, with the effective date set at July 22, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and pneumonia, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA respiratory examination. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board found no competent medical evidence supporting the veteran's claim that his asthma began during service, and denied his request for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claim for bronchial asthma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The veteran's asthma is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent due to his daily use of high dose corticosteroids and immuno-suppressive medications. Service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder has been granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for asthma and remanded the claim for service connection of a heart disorder as secondary to service-connected asthma.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The RO denied service connection for asthma and chronic pulmonary disease, citing tear gas exposure as a reason. The veteran appealed these decisions.