Asthma decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's asthma disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2005 was proper based on improvement in his condition as shown by VA medical records and examination reports.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma was not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for asthma, finding that the Veteran's disability picture is consistent with the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back disability, left leg disability, bilateral foot disability, asthma, and cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to consider new evidence, including his recent complaints of patella dislocation and use of a wheelchair. The service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the current medical findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and inadequate examination, requiring further development of the claim.

The Veteran's asthma is attributable to service, specifically his deployment in Kuwait where he was exposed to burning oil and other debris. The Board finds that the condition was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia are related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The Veteran's chronic asthmatic bronchitis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and denied his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disorder. The decision also remanded one of the issues regarding bronchial asthma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma with hay fever and residuals of malignant melanoma with lymphedema, claiming as a scar. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bronchial asthma with hay fever and insufficient evidence linking the current skin condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current headaches and asthma are related to his service, including head injuries sustained in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for major depression, PTSD based on personal assault, asthma (claimed as secondary to asbestos exposure), and a right knee condition were denied. The denial is due to the lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing has been scheduled, but he moved and cannot attend the hearing. The case is being remanded to the RO in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where a Travel Board hearing should be scheduled.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma and bronchitis did not manifest during service or within a reasonable time frame thereafter, and there is no medical evidence linking current diagnoses to his military service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and treatment records from Rodriguez Hospital and Damas Hospital in Puerto Rico. The Veteran will also be provided a notice letter explaining what evidence is needed to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung disorder, variously claimed as asthma, bronchospasm, and bilateral apical thickening is being remanded due to unclear nature of the disability and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.