Asthma decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for chronic asthma and an initial noncompensable disability rating for the left foot injury residuals. The veteran's asthma is found to have been incurred in service, while his left foot condition was also linked to service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, which had previously been rated at 100 percent, warranted a reduced rating to 30 percent effective November 1, 2002. The reduction was proper as there was material improvement in his condition.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis, finding that the veteran's condition results in more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has determined that the appellant's asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent from January 23, 2002, through January 4, 2005. From January 5, 2005, forward, the rating for asthma has been increased to 60 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating at any time.

The veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as non-compensable (0 percent), and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory disorder and denied increased ratings for residuals of right and left carpal tunnel release surgeries. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension was also denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for bronchial asthma, hypertensive vascular disease, and Crohn's disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for asthma and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran died of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial asthma. The VA does not find that these conditions were service-connected or caused by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's disease, emphysema, and asthma. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her time in service or due to asbestos exposure.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. The knee conditions have been increased to 20 percent prior to August 25, 2003, and to 30 percent since April 29, 2004.,For the knees, the veteran's chondromalacia with patellar tendonitis has not met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her husband's service connection for the cause of his death, finding no new and material evidence that would relate his death to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including asthma with nasal discharge, finding no evidence of such disorders during or following his military service.

The Board found that the submitted evidence is not material as it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for bronchial asthma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bronchial asthma is service-connected, as it was not pre-existing and did not worsen during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and the residuals of transient ischemic attacks and a stroke to the RO for further development. The veteran must provide evidence supporting his assertions that these conditions are related to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary disease, claimed as occupational asthma, and right wrist/hand metacarpal boss/ganglion cyst disability were not incurred or aggravated by active service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The veteran's asthma, chloracne, and peripheral neuropathy were not found to be related to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma, finding that the evidence did not show moderate incomplete paralysis or rather frequent asthmatic attacks as required for a higher rating.