Asthma decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address the underlying conditions of his respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claimed respiratory/pulmonary disabilities are not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Veteran's asthma and dental injuries are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from her first period of active duty.

The Veteran's asthma was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to January 26, 2009. From that date, the condition warranted a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange, are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis does not meet any specific criteria for a separate rating.

The Board found no current asthma disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, CAD as secondary to asthma, cellulitis of both legs, arthritis of both knees, and restless leg syndrome. The Board found no current chronic cellulitis of either leg, no current diagnosis of chronic asthma related to military service, and that CAD was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that bronchial asthma did not begin in service or until years after service, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's lung disorders, including COPD, emphysema, and asthma, are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his military service, specifically any inservice exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) is related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma is likely due to his service during ACDUTRA from February 23, 1958 to August 18, 1958 and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected ASHD aggravated his asthma to the extent that it contributed substantially or materially to his death from COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding no evidence of a relevant injury or disease during active duty or periods of inactive duty training that would support the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma pre-existed service and was aggravated by his deployment to Iraq, leading to a favorable decision on his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD and asthma, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to support a connection between his current respiratory disorders and his period of active service.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute bronchopneumonia and pulmonary emboli, which were a direct result of an acute hospitalization for surgery to treat colon cancer. The service-connected asthmatic bronchitis with COPD did not accelerate his death; however, the appellant's continued smoking after discharge from military service was the main causative entity in the development of conditions that were fatal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically asthma, warrants a rating of 30 percent since March 14, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been granted. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma, bronchitis and COPD) is also granted. The left knee disorder and low back disorder are not service connected.