Asthma decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal for service connection of bronchial asthma has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that further review is needed to determine if the veteran's current respiratory disability, including allergies and asthma, are related to his military service. The RO will arrange for a VA examination to assess this relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, including an MRI of the lumbar spine. The veteran's asthma is also being reviewed as part of this process.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for asthma, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating based on systemic corticosteroid use.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU, but he is not able to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his medical conditions. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated treatment records and conduct an examination to assess the impact of his disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and airway hyperactivity, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The increased rating claim for focal segmental glomerular sclerosis with hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bladder cancer and cluster headaches, are being remanded due to the failure of the veteran to appear at a scheduled hearing.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 10, 2003. Service connection for CAD and COPD with asthma and bronchitis was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asbestos-related disorder, asthma, sleep apnea, and fungal disorder on the foot and back are all denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension is also denied as there is no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year post-service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for asthma, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and bilateral fallen arches, finding no current disability involving her legs or feet. The Board also found that her pes planus pre-existed her military service and was not aggravated by it. For asthma, the Board determined there is no evidence of a current disability warranting an increased rating beyond 30 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asbestosis, including COPD and bronchial asthma. The earliest effective date available is February 7, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran had asthma at the time of her entry into active service and that it was not aggravated during service. Therefore, the presumption of soundness is rebutted, and the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records from the Social Security Administration and the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. The veteran's asthma treatment records are needed for a full evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that an earlier effective date for bronchial asthma was not warranted. The veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma is related to her service, resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for lung disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The issue is now on remand to determine if the current lung disorder is related to active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a dental disability, and the maximum schedular rating for residuals of submucous resection, rhinoplasty, was already assigned.