Asthma decisions — 2014

The Veteran's migraine headaches were permanently aggravated beyond their natural progression as a result of his service in Iraq. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's asthma is presumed to have existed prior to service and has continued since. The Board finds that the evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show that his asthma was aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for asthma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and TMJ syndrome. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Veteran's request to appeal the esophageal cancer claim has been withdrawn, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, a left calf strain disability, obstructive sleep apnea, tinea capitis, chlamydial urethritis, and vasectomy. The reasons given were that there was insufficient credible evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims were granted, with some issues receiving increased evaluations and others having effective dates assigned. The service-connected conditions include left wrist fracture, left ankle disability, asthma, and a skin disorder.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's asthma and COPD, as well as an evaluation of his service-connected asbestosis. The case is remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke residuals are not service-connected as he was not in active service or ACDUTRA at the time of his stroke. The claims for asthma, right eye tumor, and tooth and gum problems have been denied due to lack of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be causally related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for asthma. The low back disability issue remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, and asthma were denied as there was no evidence of their onset in service or within one year thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not establish a presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities and therefore cannot meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim for service connection for various conditions is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma is not shown to have been present in service or for years thereafter, and it was not determined to be related to his active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection for asthma was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability. The Veteran's asthma claim is also remanded as no Statement of the Case has been issued.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for her pulmonary disorder, chronic sinus disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. The conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran was also granted service connection for a respiratory condition, with asthma being the specific diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders other than COPD (asthma and bronchitis).