Asthma decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His right knee disability was rated at 10 percent, his facial fracture residuals at noncompensable (0 percent), and his headaches at 30 percent.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for lung disease, to include asthma and COPD. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence of a lung disorder during or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's FSHD, bilateral flat feet, and asthma were all first manifested during his period of active military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports these claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently manifested by not more than symptomatology requiring daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The initial noncompensable rating for asthma was granted, but the claim for an increase to a higher rating since March 10, 2005, was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding whether her current asthma was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's asthma results in a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) of no less than 72 percent of the predicted value, and does not result in at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or at least three courses of systemic corticosteroids per year. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma with remote exacerbation is found to have been incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and asthma are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Charleston Naval Hospital and scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of North Carolina disability benefits and a VA pulmonary examination.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma. The claims of entitlement to service connection for emphysema and joint aches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disability did not have its onset during active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the September 14, 1978 rating decision denying service connection for asthma was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. As a result, the claim is granted as if the 1978 decision had never been made.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma disability, as it is unclear whether the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema/rosacea is rated at 60 percent, and her right arm carpal tunnel release is rated at 30 percent. The Veteran also has a respiratory disorder (asthma) and a left ankle disability that are presumed to be related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for PTSD, migraine headaches, and asthma have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and he did not meet the legal requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bronchial asthma was denied, and his TDIU and bilateral hip claims were also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bronchial asthma, and that there was no evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification on whether any of the Veteran's respiratory conditions pre-existed service and were aggravated or permanently worsened as a result of active service, including exposure to herbicide agents.