Asthma decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma and granted it. The issues of secondary service connection for various conditions are addressed in a separate remand.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a comprehensive VA examination to assess the appellant's ability to receive aid and attendance benefits due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that asthma clearly and unmistakably existed prior to the veteran's entrance onto active duty, and did not undergo any chronic increase in severity during or as a result of his periods of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, alopecia areata, and skin disability other than alopecia areata, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or a link between them and military service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis warrants no more than a 30 percent evaluation, as his FEV-1 was between 56 to 70 percent predicted. The disability does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both knees and asthma, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active service.,The RO previously denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis in January 1988. The veteran did not appeal this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and chronic tonsillitis, finding that his conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent for asthma or any compensable evaluation for chronic tonsillitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung disease other than asbestosis is not related to service, but has found that he currently has asbestosis and this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected asthma disability prior to March 8, 2001.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for clarification of the type of hearing desired and scheduling a Board hearing.

The appeal was remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a local hearing officer.