Asthma decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for loss of sense of smell, bilateral shin splints, left knee cartilage deterioration, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been denied. The claim for asthma has been granted with a 30% evaluation but not higher.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is now rated at 60 percent effective June 17, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's decreased pulmonary function was not solely attributable to his non-service connected emphysema.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the appellant's identifying information and the need for additional records from VA medical facilities.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of residuals of malaria, asthma, or pneumonia. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 100% effective June 10, 2008. His claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder to include asthma and allergic rhinitis are related to his active service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD with complications due to medication. The decision found that there was clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions (asthma and hay fever) before service, which were not aggravated by service beyond their natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for asthma and a low back disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's asthma is found to be related to his active service, while his low back disability is not considered to have had onset during service.

The Veteran's cervical sprain, PTSD, and exercise-induced asthma were not granted service connection. The Veteran was awarded a 30% rating for his PTSD but denied compensation for his exercise-induced asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, characterized as COPD and asthma, is attributable to service.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma with allergic rhinitis was granted, but the initial evaluation assigned is noncompensable. The Board requested additional medical records to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting asthma was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including scoliosis, left leg length discrepancy, bronchitis with reactive airway disease (asthma), and coronary artery disease (CAD) are not related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, asthma and COPD, an enlarged prostate, impaired sensation in the left side and foot, and allergic rhinitis have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition during service or at any time thereafter. There is also insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD. For the back disability, asthma and COPD, and enlarged prostate, the record does not show a diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions in service or within one year after discharge. The claim for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a pulmonary disability, which he claims as asthma associated with primary atypical pneumonia during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain and consider all relevant medical records and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced a continuity of symptoms since service and provided sufficient evidence to support these findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for her right tibia disability, as there was no evidence of malunion or incapacitating episodes of sinusitis. Regarding asthma, the VA examination results raised doubt about its current existence but did not link it to service.