Asthma decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a heart condition (intermittent sinus tachycardia), a left arm disorder, hemorrhoids, shin splints of both legs, and bronchial asthma. The decision also noted that no cardiovascular disease was found during service or subsequent examination.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, hearing loss, and hypertension did not preexist his second period of active duty service. The veteran's cardiovascular disability was also not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service. As such, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness manifested by symptoms involving a mental disorder, bronchial asthma, costochondritis or lumbar pathology. The back condition is also not related to service.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision denying a TDIU is not final and requires further development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist. The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain, residuals of injury of the left knee with traumatic arthritis, bronchial asthma, and tinnitus, are being evaluated for their impact on his employability.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all of the veteran's treatment records from his Mayaguez outpatient clinic and any other relevant medical administrative records. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and theories of causation submitted after the appeal was certified, including exposure to mustard gas during service. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death remains under review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he has been prescribed high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications on a daily basis, and to obtain pulmonary function test reports. The RO will then consider whether an initial evaluation higher than 60 percent may be assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and diabetes mellitus as a consequence of herbicide exposure, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after his military service. The Board also found that hypertension was not secondary to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from prior to service and during service. The veteran's asthma is being evaluated in light of whether it existed before service or was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within applicable presumptive periods, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for bronchial asthma effective October 7, 1996. The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent prior to that date was denied.

The veteran's asthma is found to be at least as likely as not related to his period of service, including presumed herbicide exposure. Separate, 10 percent ratings are granted for arthritis and chondromalacia of the right and left knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, and hernia were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and coronary artery disease, both secondary to his service-connected left pleurisy. The VA examiner found no relationship between the veteran's heart condition and his service-connected pleurisy.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, asthma and an upper respiratory condition, and a fractured left lower orbit were denied. The veteran was granted a 10% evaluation for the residuals of his fractured left lower orbit.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of air conditioning in his automobile adaptive equipment was denied because the Under Secretary for Health determined that it is not necessary for the health and safety of the veteran or for safe operation of the vehicle.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma existed before service and was not permanently aggravated during service, thus granting service connection for this condition. The decision on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is pending in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records and conduct another VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder, including bronchial asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for TDIU due to PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence showing that her PTSD precludes substantially gainful employment.