Asthma decisions — 2009

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the previous denials was not new and material, thus denying the claims to reopen for service connection of bronchial asthma, generalized anxiety disorder, and a back condition.

The Veteran is not shown to have current disability manifested by chronic asthma or reactive airway disease due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's skin disability was rated at 30 percent beginning July 23, 2002, due to constant itching, pigment changes, and macular lesions about the groin, hands, and feet.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems, headaches, numbness in the lower extremities, muscle weakness, memory loss/difficulty concentrating, ear problems, dizziness/balance problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The Veteran's disability ratings for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia were also denied or maintained.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a respiratory disorder claimed as asthma/reactive airway disease, hypertension, and a gynecological disorder manifested by abnormal vaginal bleeding, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence pertinent to the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, as the preponderance of evidence was against finding that his respiratory condition began during active duty or is otherwise related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, seasonal allergies/rhinitis, a respiratory condition and tinnitus. However, the evidence does not support an increased rating for his current conditions.

The appeal for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and an independent medical opinion.

The veteran's skin disability, currently diagnosed as atopic dermatitis, was granted service connection due to its onset during active service.

The veteran's appeal was remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's hypertension, colon polyps, scalp lipomas, asthma, and loss of use of a creative organ were not related to service.

The appeal was partially granted, as new and material evidence was found to support the claim for a low back disorder. However, no service connection was established for other conditions.

The appeal was denied as new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for asthma was not received, but service connection for hypertension was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and examinations to assess the current severity of his asthma and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no competent evidence linking any of them to the veteran's active service or any exposure during that time.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of blood poisoning, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic asthma as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma prior to June 20, 2007, and to a 60 percent evaluation from that date.