Asthma decisions — 2011

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to service, as the current evidence does not conclusively establish whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for lung disability, including COPD and asthma. The issues also include secondary service connection for hypertension and heart disability. The case must be remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for left otitis externa, left otitis media, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. However, his claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's asthma was present during his active duty service and is considered incurred therein. The Board found that the appellant did not have pre-existing asthma, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected hemorrhoids and asthma have been granted, effective from September 9, 2008. The TDIU request is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, and a left wrist ganglionectomy, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that a chronic respiratory disability other than COPD/emphysema, to include chronic asthma or asbestosis, did not have its onset during active military service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's COPD with asthma is found to have begun in service and continues today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bronchitis with asthmatic component is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, skin cancer, and frostbite residuals are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma and arthritis of the right knee, have resulted in his need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress, bathe, or toilet himself.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bronchial asthma was denied. The current rating of 60 percent is considered appropriate as it meets the criteria for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during service. However, the lung disability (COPD and asthma) is not linked to service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 60% to 30% for bronchial asthma was proper based on the evidence showing FEV-1 of 79 percent predicted value and FEV-1/FVC of 84 percent, which corresponds to a 10% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6602. The other issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions. However, new and material evidence was received in some cases, reopening the claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's asthma existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service beyond its natural progression. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury residuals with arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, chronic asthma, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for cellulitis was not addressed in this decision. Service connection was denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim for back injury residuals with arthritis.