Asthma decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder (asthma) or skin disorder (suppurative hidradenitis of the groin and perineum to include a pilonidal cyst), and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, and dismissed his claim for an earlier effective date for schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of development regarding the etiology and pre-service presence of asthma.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prostate disorder, and asthma, but denied service connection for colorectal cancer and nasal fracture residuals.

The veteran died in December 1993. The appellant is entitled to enhanced DIC benefits as the veteran was rated totally disabled for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding his death due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's current respiratory issues, including asthma and obstructive airway disease, are not related to his assumed asbestos exposure during military service.

The Board found that a chronic respiratory disease, including asbestosis and asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated during the veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before deciding the claims on the merits.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's respiratory disability, specifically asthma. The appeal is remanded due to failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The veteran died in February 1989 due to cardio-pulmonary arrest and aspiration. The appellant contends that the cause of death was bronchial pneumonia asthma, which she claims was incurred or aggravated during his military service. However, there is conflicting information regarding the veteran's marital status at the time of his death and whether he lived with the appellant continuously from the date of marriage to the date of death.

The veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated, and the RO denied higher ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and asthma. The evaluations remained at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for asthma and service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and bronchial asthma do not warrant an increased rating as their manifestations are consistent with the current 30 percent ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, asthma, and hypertension (claimed as a heart condition) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's bronchial asthma, which was listed as the cause of death, is related to his diagnosed bronchitis during service. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that bronchial asthma was not incurred during service or due to a service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain her VA treatment records and for a VA medical examination to determine the severity of her service-connected exercise induced asthma and acne disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU were denied. The reduction in the rating for his hypertensive heart disease was upheld, but he is still seeking service connection for venous insufficiency of the lower extremities and asthma.