Asthma decisions — 2011

The Board finds that the Veteran's current asthma disorder began during service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's asthmatic allergic bronchitis has required daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, meeting the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating. Her sinusitis is not rated separately as it does not meet the criteria for chronic frontal sinusitis with involvement of two or more adjacent cranial nerves.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of chronic bronchial asthma, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, and chronic pharyngitis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that clear and unmistakable evidence shows the Veteran had a respiratory disability, likely allergy-induced or exercise-induced asthma, prior to service. The condition was not aggravated by service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary condition, to include asthma, bronchitis, and breathing problems is remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA respiratory examination.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD were manifested by at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations from April 26, 1999 to January 1, 2001. The disability was rated as 60 percent disabling during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-2680 and income information from the Veteran. A new VA respiratory examination will also be scheduled.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability is not related to service, specifically his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD rated 70%, asthma rated 30%, and costochondritis and migraine headaches, each rated 0%) render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bronchial asthma before October 7, 2009 was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,For the period from October 7, 2009 onwards, a rating higher than 60 percent is not established as the FEV1 value did not meet the criteria for that level of disability.

The Veteran's asthma was evaluated at various levels of disability, but the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to October 1, 2006.

The Veteran's asthma is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and lung disease including asthmatic bronchitis and COPD. Service connection for impotence is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, asthma, and emphysema are not related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's lung disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and he does not have any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, his claims for service connection and TDIU are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a near drowning incident, asthma, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for status post right inguinal hernia repair. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.