Asthma decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis and asthma were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis or a rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the San Juan RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progress during his time in service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, which is presumed to be related to her Gulf War service.,Service connection was also established for atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), both of which are presumed due to the Veteran's Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for asthma was granted, effective November 9, 2005. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the previous denial of her claim in November 2001, which resulted in an earlier effective date of January 19, 2000.

The Veteran's heart and lung disorders, diagnosed as cardiomyopathy, asthma, and COPD, are proximately due to or the result of service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and considering the lay statement received from M.M.

The Veteran's death was caused by his willful misconduct of abusing prescription medication, which is not service-connected.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, and there is no evidence linking any of his claimed conditions to military service or to any incident therein. As such, service connection for all claims is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension to the RO for further development and readjudication, including consideration of whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and respiratory disorder, to include asthma, were denied as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, pulmonary sarcoidosis with asthma, tendonitis of the left ankle, retropatellar pain syndrome (myxoid degeneration) of both knees, human papilloma virus, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The appeals were not granted for any of these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is attributable to his military service. The remaining claims have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an increased rating for hearing loss. The decision did not address the issue of herbicide exposure or grant any new ratings.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board previously denied the claim due to clear and unmistakable evidence showing that asthma preexisted active duty service and was not aggravated by service. The case is now remanded for clarification of the medical opinion regarding whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that asthma was not aggravated during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and upper respiratory disorders did not have their onset in service or due to exposure to asbestos, cold weather, demolition debris, or other environmental hazards. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and residuals of pneumonia claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 7, 2009.

The Veteran was granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for a heart condition and joint condition.