Asthma decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records, conduct a VA examination for respiratory conditions, and determine if there is any relationship between his hypertension and his respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome was initially rated at zero percent and increased to forty percent effective March 1, 2012. The Veteran contends that his service-connected asthma is more disabling than evaluated.,The Veteran's asthma was initially rated at ten percent and increased to thirty percent effective July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 12, 2009. The evidence does not show that his PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,Prior to November 1, 2013, the Veteran's asthma is not shown to have been productive of an FEV-1 of 71-80 percent predicted, an FEV-1/FVC of 71-80 percent, or that he required intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. As of November 1, 2013, the Veteran's asthma is not shown to have been productive of an FEV-1 of 56-70 percent predicted, an FEV-1/FVC of 56-70 percent, or to require daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not shown to have been productive of persistent bleeding and with secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Board has expanded the issue to include any respiratory disability, including COPD and asthmatic arthritis. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting asthma did not worsen during her brief period of active service and therefore, she is not entitled to service connection for a respiratory disability.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma and COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service respiratory problems.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a comprehensive review, including an opinion on whether asthma contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's asthma and lumbar spine disorder were not shown to be related to her active service or any period of ADT. The Board found no direct service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service. Service connection on a secondary basis was also denied due to lack of aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a chronic lung and respiratory disability, including as due to exposure to tactical chemical herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam, has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to clarify her comments regarding the likelihood of a relationship between the Veteran's bronchial disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his current COPD and asthma, specifically addressing exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder manifested by stress-induced asthma and bronchial spasm as secondary to the service-connected undifferentiated somatoform disorder (also claimed as major depression and anxiety). The Veteran's loss of feeling in hands and feet is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her exposure history.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bronchial asthma has been granted, with a 30 percent rating effective from November 21, 2005.