Asthma decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, finding that the condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, or chronic asthma during service. The Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions noted in her service records and there is insufficient credible lay evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected asthma was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating prior to September 16, 2011 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent since September 16, 2011.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, was incurred during his military service. The initial rating for his lumbar strain is set at 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, which required treatment including steroids like Prednisone, contributed to his death from liver disease and esophageal varices. The conflicting medical opinions are in relative equipoise.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, heart disease, and shoulder disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected schizophrenia and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral athlete's foot, but denied service connection for asthma and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral athlete's foot is found to be related to his military service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current asthma or tinnitus to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma and bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for the issues previously remanded by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma was denied, and the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder to include degenerative joint disease was also denied. The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory and nasal disorders are related to his service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including service connection claims and a determination of the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a skin disorder of the feet and ankles (including jungle rot), chloracne, dizziness, asthma, and residuals of a right ring finger injury have all been granted. The effective date is to be determined based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus, asthma, and hepatitis B with liver disability were not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA examination provided was inadequate and additional evidence is needed, including Social Security Administration records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's combined disability rating prior to May 8, 2002 was 40%, which did not meet the criteria for a TDIU under VA regulations.

The Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring a special home adaptation grant, but does not meet the criteria for specially adaptive housing.