Asthma decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for asthma, heart disease (including swelling in the hands and feet), a left shoulder disorder, and a right shoulder disorder have been denied. The claim regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a head injury and a chest injury is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and tinnitus were denied, and the claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected severe restrictive disease with chronic interstitial scarring on both upper lungs was granted. The effective date of this grant is set at December 12, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records, verifying stressful events during service, and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and possibly a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to conflicting opinions on the nature of his current lung disease. A new examination by a pulmonologist will be conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, and other disorders. The decision was based on a direct service connection theory without any evidence of secondary or aggravation connections.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including Parkinson's disease and tremors, a respiratory disorder claimed as asbestos exposure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, hypertension, prostate disability, and a respiratory disability (claimed as allergies, hay fever, and asthma). The claims were either not supported by the evidence or new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is established as service-connected. However, there is no evidence linking the current asthma to his military service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected asthma, effective from September 11, 2007 to November 17, 2008. The Veteran previously had a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues concerning asthma, depression, and stress. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and low back disability are denied.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to travel for a hearing, and will schedule a videoconference hearing at the next available opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, asthma, and bronchitis, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bronchitis and bronchiectasis with asthma was granted, but the RO re-characterized her disability as bronchitis and bronchiectasis with asthma. The current effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and providing a VA examination.

The appellant's claim for VA compensation for birth defects of a child born to a Vietnam veteran is denied as there is no legal merit due to the absence of spina bifida in his mother, who served in the military but not in the Republic of Vietnam.