Asthma decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, to include asthma, is denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that he had pre-existing asthma prior to service. The Board finds the current respiratory disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, secure SSA disability benefits records and arrange for VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and right knee disability will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma is a continuing disease process of symptoms noted in service and finds it at least as likely as not related to her childhood asthma, which was present prior to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis of the fingers and toes, acid reflux disorder, hypertension, and asthma are all granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in hearing officer and the Veteran's request for a new hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders, including degenerative disc disease and spinal fusion, are not related to his military service.,Regarding the respiratory disorder other than asthma (COPD), the VA examiner concluded it is not due to or caused by or exacerbated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, and sinusitis are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension, end-stage renal failure, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to a lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma with rhinitis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for osteoporosis was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal at a hearing.,The Veteran's bronchial asthma rating was restored to 100 percent effective July 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, chronic photodermatitis, exercise-induced asthma, and diabetes mellitus) prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualified him prior to June 10, 2005. The Board granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has found that there is no evidence of asthma in service or until many years after separation, and thus the Veteran's current asthma does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma has been found to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, a certificate of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to residuals of an inhalation injury including asthma, but not for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's asthma disability is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as required by Diagnostic Codes 6602 or any other applicable codes.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically his claimed asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's current asthma and his military service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the service-connected asthma could have aggravated COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining VA medical records and vocational rehabilitation records.