Asthma decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking service connection for bronchial asthma and COPD, which he claims are related to his exposure to chemicals during active duty. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected allergic asthma and proper VCAA notice regarding effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, arthritis of multiple joints, and pulmonary sarcoidosis with exercise-induced asthma. The decision also addressed the evaluation of osteoarthritis of the spine but did not assign a specific rating as it pertained to different periods.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with a 10 percent rating effective May 1, 2005. The veteran's claims for asthma and bronchitis were denied as not related to his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for asthma, finding no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD, is related to his in-service pneumonia. However, there is no evidence of other residuals from the April 1957 episode of pneumonia.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected ganglion cyst to the left wrist was denied. The issue of asthma service connection is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and asthma are service-connected based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma did not originate in service or until many years after his discharge, and it is not otherwise related to his period of service or any event therein.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis and ethmoiditis, pharyngitis, headaches, and a psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification on whether the veteran's respiratory disorder is related to service.

The veteran's degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with facet arthritis is found to be related to service and/or reported injuries therein, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, granting his claim. The skin disorder and asthma claims have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma/emphysema, sleep apnea, and prostate condition are denied as they are barred by law due to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1103.

The veteran's asthma has been rated at 10 percent since March 14, 2003. The VA Regional Office (RO) increased the rating to 10 percent effective that date.

The veteran's bronchial asthma was not severe enough to warrant an increased evaluation, as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC levels were consistently above the threshold for a higher rating. The RO denied the claim based on the current criteria.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the veteran's bronchial asthma was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the veteran's bronchial asthma was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma and allergies, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and malaria have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for asthma and allergies. Service connection was not established for hemorrhoids or tinnitus. Malaria is recognized but with no ascertainable residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and notification to ensure all necessary information is provided before further adjudication of the claims.