Asthma decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and hiatal hernia with GERD contributed to his cause of death, as they were related to his heart attack.

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

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's seizure disorder, memory impairment, high blood pressure, asthma, and headaches for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an inadequate opinion from the November 2010 VA examiner. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD should be remanded due to unclear diagnosis and need for further medical opinion regarding aggravation of COPD by his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began in service and if his asthma aggravated his sleep apnea. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including residuals of colon cancer, right shoulder disability, left testicle disability, bronchitis/asthma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and heart disability. The appeals were based on new and material evidence for residuals of colon cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ingrown toenails other than the 1st toe was denied due to lack of evidence of a chronic disability. His claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma was granted, but he is still seeking a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is a result of disease that existed during service, specifically allergic rhinitis.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's respiratory disorder and service exposure to asbestos or any other form of exposure. The claim for head injury residuals was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and asthma will be further evaluated after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, including shortness of breath, was aggravated in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, bladder disorder, asthma, or residuals of a cold injury to the ears.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examination and needs clarification on whether current hypertension or respiratory disabilities including asthma are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis and a pulmonary disorder, finding that his conditions were not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be incurred during service, and the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for asthma, which she was diagnosed with while in the Army Reserves. The VA has not obtained all of her Reserve personnel records and treatment records from 1999 to May 2008. A remanded VA examination is needed to determine if her current asthma is permanently aggravated by her Reserve training.