Asthma decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine for a 70 percent rating and render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU from March 30, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for a breathing disability (asthma) and mechanical low back pain, but denied service connection for hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss disability and insufficient objective findings for the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bronchial asthma are being remanded to allow for additional development of the medical records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hemorrhoids and otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned. Service connection has also been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, chloracne/skin disability, arthritis, sinusitis, asthma, and hypertension have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to service or the exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD was a contributory cause of his death, and the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to service, specifically exposure to toxins in Germany and herbicides at Fort McClellan.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as his FEV1 and FEV1/FVC levels have not reached the required thresholds.

The Veteran's asthma was not shown to be present during service or within one year of separation, and there is no current evidence of the condition. The Board therefore denies service connection for asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before the Board and to take appropriate steps in order to conduct it. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary disability, including asthma, due to exposure to asbestos and/or chemicals is being remanded as the Veteran requested a videoconference Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, bronchial asthma, lumbosacral strain, left arm radiculopathy associated with cervical strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, residuals of a right wrist injury with fibrositis, left ankle injury, tinnitus, sinusitis, left knee injury, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's asthma has been productive of an FEV-1 of less than 40 percent during the timeframe November 3, 2011, to February 28, 2012; and since April 2014. The criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent are met.

The Board found no credible evidence demonstrating a diagnosis of asthma that is related to service or to a service-connected disorder, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to any service-connected disability. The Board did not find evidence that any of his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of records, including pulmonary function tests. The issues on appeal are related to his service-connected bronchial asthma and his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and granted service connection, but did not grant an initial compensable rating. The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, paradoxical vocal cord mobility, left shoulder scar, and right hammer toes were all rated at 10 percent.