Asthma decisions — 2010

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent disabling from September 16, 2003 through July 25, 2004. From July 26, 2004 through August 7, 2008, the Veteran's asthma warranted a staged initial rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, recurrent left tibia fractures, PTSD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were all rated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's lung disorders, including asthma and COPD, were not first manifested during service or related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a panic disorder with agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder, and depression as secondary to asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA pulmonary examination and determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues are an increased rating for left great toe fracture with laceration and reopening of his claim for service connection for bronchial asthma.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional service records and determine if new evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for bronchial asthma. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to assess his current respiratory disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, persistent headaches, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, cognitive dysfunction, mood and sleep disturbance, ataxia and/or chronic balance difficulties, respiratory symptoms (asthma), gastrointestinal symptoms other than irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular symptoms (hypertension), and skin rashes were all granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, specifically bronchial asthma, is not attributable to service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung condition in service and no continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and shortness of breath, is attributable to his service in the Navy. ,The Veteran's sleep apnea is also attributable to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied, but some issues have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The decision is mixed as it grants some aspects of the claims while denying others.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive lung disease with history of asthma required outpatient oxygen therapy from January 31, 2006 to January 31, 2007. The VA granted a 100% evaluation for this period.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and its treatment contributed substantially or materially to his suicide, which would be considered a cause of death.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and hypertension, finding that there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for asthma and has determined that preexisting asthma was aggravated by service. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service and granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, asthma, and prostatic hypertrophy secondary to Agent Orange exposure are also addressed.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is not service connected as it existed prior to his military service and did not permanently increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for COPD, laryngitis, actinic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not associated with his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.