Asthma decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory symptoms are attributable to known clinical diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or asthma, which were not etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the service-connected asthma has aggravated the claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran submitted new evidence suggesting his lung cancer and COPD may be related to environmental exposure, particularly coral dust. The Board finds this sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma had not been manifested by FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or requiring daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications prior to December 1, 2010. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for ventral hernia, incisional repair with residual abdominal wall muscle strain was granted at 10 percent prior to September 23, 2010 and increased to 20 percent as of that date.,The Veteran's right thumb fracture with residual small muscle strain, status post internal fixation of ulnar aspect, received an initial compensable rating of 10 percent prior to December 15, 2010 and was granted a higher rating of 10 percent as of that date.,The Veteran's right foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for asthma has been established based on its relationship to the service-connected ventral hernia, incisional repair with residual abdominal wall muscle strain; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Left foot pes planus was not found to be related to active duty service and is not secondary to any service-connected disorder.,Right knee disability and left knee disability were not found to be related to active duty service and are not secondary to any service-connected disorder.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and anxiety must be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that neither bronchial asthma nor COPD was incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue of service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, claimed as a residual of carbon tetrachloride exposure, remains under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chest pain or asthma, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's asthma is being evaluated in relation to her service history.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD, bronchiectasis, and asthma, was not incurred in active service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Bronchiectasis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service connection claim for asthma was denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. His compensation claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a genitourinary disorder was denied because he failed to report for the required VA examination.

The Board has determined that asthma existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, but the Veteran's current asthma is related to his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete verification of the appellant's service during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The RO/AMC is instructed to attempt to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain his service treatment records using the estimated service dates provided by the appellant.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory condition in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current pulmonary/respiratory disorder, diagnosed as COPD and asthma, and service. The Veteran's history of smoking and cocaine use is considered.

The Board found that asthma and sarcoidosis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as the competent and probative medical evidence did not support a finding of an onset during service or a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma and major depressive disorder are related to his active military service, with no evidence of pre-service onset or aggravation.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis, tinea pedis, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining service treatment records, VA examinations, and additional medical opinions.