Asthma decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bronchial asthma and a higher initial rating for anatomical loss of the right eye was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any increased ratings.

The Veteran's asthma and hypertension were diagnosed during active duty service and are considered to have begun in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a more recent examination.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has increased in severity so as to warrant a 100 percent disability rating beginning December 13, 2006.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, bronchitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and migraine headaches prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to COPD, emphysema and asthma, finding that these conditions were not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disorder and asthma, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, asthma, and type II diabetes mellitus, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or to herbicide exposure.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective October 18, 1996. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a final disallowed claim for service connection for asthma and determined that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's current claim is based on his assertion of a respiratory disability related to his service, specifically the numerous bilateral pneumothoraces during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of secondary service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated in conjunction with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected asthmatic lung disorder does not warrant an extraschedular rating due to its current level of impairment and the fact that it has not required frequent hospitalizations.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asthma, is being remanded for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma was granted, and he is currently receiving a 30 percent disability evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, to include bronchial asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preexisting condition existed prior to service and did not clearly and unmistakably permanently worsen during service.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on FEV1 or monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of bronchial asthma, service connection for residuals of a head injury, and service connection for epilepsy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder related to military service, including asthma. The Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is less likely than not related to his military service.