Asthma decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, finding no evidence of a current lung disability related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's SLE, asthma, and fibromyalgia are not related to her active duty service or her service-connected Graves' disease.

The Board has determined that the appellant was in need of aid and attendance prior to her March 27, 2008 claim for benefits. As such, an effective date of March 27, 2008 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's currently diagnosed COPD, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is currently evaluated at a 60 percent rating. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC values are within the range of 40 to 55 percent predicted, and he does not require systemic high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial ratings of migraine headaches, PTSD, and asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and a VA general medical examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic asthma is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted with an effective date of February 27, 2001. The combined evaluation at the time this decision was made included endometriosis (50%), migraine headaches (30%), asthma (30%), and TMJ syndrome (10%).

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including his diagnosed asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma and COPD have been granted service connection, but the assigned initial disability rating of 30 percent is maintained. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of asthma, cervical spine disability, and back disability. The criteria for these conditions have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current asthma is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records regarding the Veteran's mental health during his time in Italy. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and consider them as part of the decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current pulmonary disorders, including asthma and COPD, are directly related to his military service. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during active duty service and has a current diagnosis of pleural plaques, which is associated with asbestos exposure. The Board grants service connection for pleural plaques as a result of asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung disabilities, including COPD and asthma. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthmatic bronchitis, pain disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Crohn's disease, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a new opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the service connection issue.