Asthma decisions — 2013

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma and a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post hyperextension of the left thumb with degenerative changes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in any of the four issues on appeal. The cervical spine disorder, asthma, skin disorder, and hepatitis are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination to determine if the appellant is housebound or requires aid and attendance.

The Veteran's death was attributed to severe anoxic brain injury secondary to cardiopulmonary arrest. The VA examiner opined that the service-connected asthma did not substantially contribute to his death, but this opinion is inadequate as it does not address whether the Veteran's health conditions rendered him materially less capable of resisting other disease or injury primarily causing death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disability other than pleural and sub-pleural lung scarring was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including chronic respiratory tract infections, dyspnea, and asthma, are less likely due to his service-connected pleural and sub-pleural lung scarring.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected lung disability to include emphysema, bronchial pneumonia, spontaneous pneumothorax, and residuals of thoracotomy was denied. The rating assigned is 30 percent effective from August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her asthma disability, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's asthma was not shown during service and there is no evidence of a nexus relating the current diagnosis to service. An examination was scheduled but the Veteran failed to report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his relocation and failure to report to scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending again with the AMC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied a higher initial disability rating for asthma. The Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service, while his asthma does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's asthma and left knee disability are found to be service-connected based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical examination. The appeal is pending further action.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the asthma disability rating from 60% to 30% was proper. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of asthma, TDIU, service connection for hypertension and dextroscoliosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lipomas and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine their etiology. The nasal fracture residuals claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for bronchial asthma. As a result, the claims of service connection for pleurodynia, TIA, anxiety, and for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability remain denied.

The Board has decided that the case needs further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asthma aggravates his sleep apnea, and thus remands the matter for this purpose.