Asthma decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma was incurred during active military service, resolving doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung condition, identified as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema, that is causally or etiologically related to military service. The veteran's long history of smoking was considered in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, an irregular heart beat, and bronchitis. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen her claims.

The veteran's obstructive pulmonary disease/airway disease/asthma/bronchitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have occurred therein, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as the submitted evidence does not link the cause of death (bronchial asthma) to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not have exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service and thus could not establish a claim for service connection based on such exposure. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of combat, which is required for claims involving PTSD. As a result, the veteran's claims were denied.

The veteran's multiple service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities prevent him from achieving a vocational goal, thus feasibility of additional vocational rehabilitation training is denied.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The veteran's asthma was rated at 10 percent prior to May 14, 2002, and at 30 percent from May 15, 2002, forward.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's asthma is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding no competent medical or factual evidence indicating any in-service incident.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for cervicodorsal spine myositis and lumbar paravertebral myositis, as well as for bronchial asthma. The evidence submitted was found not new or material.,The veteran's contentions linking his post-service conditions to his service were essentially the same as those previously made.

The veteran's asthma rating is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his COPD, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not show that he required monthly visits to a physician or intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, COPD, and asbestosis. The reasons given were that there was no proof of combat exposure or credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors, and the conditions did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for his respiratory disorders or diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The case will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling of such a hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, arranging for a VA examination, and ensuring all relevant evidence is associated with the claims file.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed bronchial asthma, including whether it preexisted his service or developed during active duty.