Asthma decisions — 2013

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bronchial asthma and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and right ear hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or any pulmonary disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.,There are no records showing chronic bronchial asthma or other pulmonary disorders in service or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma. The additional evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and reopened the claims of service connection for hip disability and pulmonary disorder (to include bronchitis and asthma). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his in-service treatment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and requesting an opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's COPD and asthma are related to in-service environmental exposures, including poor air quality in Berlin during service. The Board finds that the reasonable doubt created by conflicting medical opinions is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to October 10, 2011.,On and after October 11, 2011, the Veteran's asthma warranted a rating greater than 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. The initial compensable evaluation for asthma disability was assigned prior to May 16, 2007, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent was assigned from May 16, 2007, to April 12, 2012, with a subsequent increase to 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling from May 27, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects her disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has been rated at 30 percent since January 18, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period and denied an increased disability rating. For TDIU, the Board concluded that the Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The issues of asthma and ulcerative colitis are being remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for more complete medical records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and pneumonia, will be evaluated further.

The Veteran's asthma required daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy and intermittent systemic parenteral corticosteroids use from September 3, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to, or in excess of 60 percent from September 3, 2010 have not been met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and asthma, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease related to these conditions. The current diagnoses are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 17, 2007 was denied as she did not meet the schedular requirements and there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board determined that the Appellant's preexisting asthma existed prior to his entry into active service and was not aggravated by military service. The Board also found no evidence of COPD being caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and respiratory disability (including asthma and obstructive lung disease) were incurred in service.