Asthma decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle sprain, service connection for a right wrist condition, neck condition, asthma, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a heart condition, and pancreatitis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis, both of which were previously denied in February 1983. The decision is final.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence received by the Board.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective November 27, 2002 based on the veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease with status post triple coronary artery bypass surgery. The combined rating for all disabilities was 40 percent prior to this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's current COPD, asthma, and emphysema are not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorder or asthma are related to service-connected fibromyalgia.

The veteran's claims for asthma, PTSD, and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, bronchial asthma with history of pneumonia, and kidney stones were denied. The veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches or a compensable rating for kidney stones. A 30 percent rating has been granted for bronchial asthma since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hives or asthma, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The veteran's claims for chronic headaches and groin pain are also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a lung condition due to asbestos exposure, and hypertension as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for asthma and anemia due to missing service medical records, lack of VA examination reports, and incomplete development.

The Board found no basis to assign a disability rating greater than 30 percent for the veteran's COPD with bronchial asthma, as his pulmonary function testing did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the service-connected bronchial asthma contributed substantially or materially to causing the veteran's death, and grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities, asthma, migraine headaches, dental disability, and PTSD have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or post-service. The veteran has also been denied entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma did not originate during any period of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training; nor is her asthma otherwise related to any period of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. Therefore, service connection for asthma was denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma warrants a disability rating of no more than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service medical records.

The veteran's claim of service connection for chronic hepatitis C has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to military service.,The veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic lung disorder and PTSD have also been reopened. The new evidence supports the veteran's contention that his current conditions are related to his military service.