Asthma decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the March 1968 denial is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for bronchial asthma.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 60 percent to a 30 percent rating for bronchial asthma was proper, and the criteria for restoration of a 60 percent disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected bronchial asthma, and the claim for DIC benefits based on this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, insomnia, and fibromyalgia due to Gulf War exposure. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her failure to respond to a request for additional information. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal and it is dismissed.

The Board found that asthma did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's service-connected pleurisy, empyema of the left lung, and scar did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, except for post-bronchodilator FEV-1/FVC results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung/asthma disorder and low back disorder are both incurred during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an original claim was filed prior to July 25, 2003.