Asthma decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an appropriate VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lung disabilities are related to his service or any exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disorder is withdrawn. The claims of service connection for left knee and lung disorders are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during active duty or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation, including from VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's claims of chemical exposure in service are being considered.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right hand disability, and the Veteran's asthma was not shown in service or until several years thereafter. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to link the Veteran's gout to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of chronic respiratory issues during service and concluded that any current conditions are more likely due to smoking.

The Veteran's claim of reopening his asthma claim has been granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new PFT report and an addendum opinion from the July 2012 VA examiner. The Veteran's representative contends that he uses oral or parenteral corticosteroid medications and oral bronchodilators to treat his respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder related to his military service, including exposure to cold weather during basic training.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to environmental or chemical hazards during service and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma is shown to require daily use of systemic oral corticosteroids, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's asthma disorder had its onset during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claim for Crohn's disease is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and emphysema, is not etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of his service-connected asthma, Bell's palsy, and sleep disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder. The appeal will be remanded again if further evidence or information is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's asthma was not present in service, and there is no evidence linking it to service. His hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 90 percent.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The issues of PTSD and breathing problems are not addressed as the hearing transcript could not be produced.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected reactive airway disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 4, 2012 and did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent on or after December 4, 2012.