Asthma decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a back disorder. The remaining claims, including those related to immune system damage, myositis, psychiatric disorders, COPD and asthma, actinic keratosis, right knee disorder, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for blindness of the left eye and granted it. The other issues on appeal are pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies, incomplete records, and the need for further examination.

The veteran's asthma and left foot disability claims are remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and evidence collection.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and an increased rating for the veteran's low back disability. The effective date for these benefits is set as of March 4, 1990.

The veteran's request to reopen a claim of service connection for asthma was denied in May 1994. The RO must provide the veteran with a statement of the case dealing with whether a timely notice of disagreement was submitted following the May 1994 rating decision, and then readjudicate the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 23, 2001 for the grant of service connection for asthma.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma was not incurred during his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to issues related to service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma effective September 18, 1998, the day following the veteran's discharge from active service. The veteran is receiving an earlier effective date than initially requested.

The VA determined that the appellant's asthma, first diagnosed in the early 1980s, is not related to his service or exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including as due to exposure to mustard gas and Agent Orange. The appeal will be remanded to allow further development of the claims based on exposure to these agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and CUE regarding his service-connected bronchial asthma. The RO had previously granted a 30 percent disability rating in November 1988, which was confirmed in April 1989.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and histoplasmosis, benign type. The veteran was rated at 10 percent for bronchial asthma and 50 percent for histoplasmosis, benign type.

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

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal was timely and within its jurisdiction, thus allowing his claims for service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis to proceed.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw their appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a right hand disorder, and a skin disorder. The claim for a left hand disorder was granted based on new evidence. No rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board is remanding the cases to consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for asthma and a bilateral eye disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his pulmonary function tests did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.