Asthma decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his income exceeds the poverty threshold and he is capable of performing light-duty employment.

The Veteran's chest pain not otherwise specified and asthma have been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran's asthma is being evaluated to determine if it was initially incurred in service or is secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's asthma was manifested by Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV-1) no worse than 73 percent predicted and a ratio of Forced Expirely Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) no worse than 89 percent predicted as shown by pulmonary function tests (PFTs), daily inhalational bronchodilator or anti-inflammatory medication, but without any systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids, at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or episodes of respiratory failure. The criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma have not been met for any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records for the Veteran's low back disorder, asthma, hypertension, and vision disorder. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and asthma are being remanded due to issues with representation, missing medical records, and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between her current condition and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of his period of service and private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of any diagnosed respiratory condition, with particular focus on whether it is related to military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arthritis of the knees, bilateral foot condition, asthma, melanoma, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy involving all four extremities has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and her TDIU have been granted. She is now rated at 70% disability due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations. The claim for TDIU is also considered on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for consideration of extraschedular TDIU criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2014 to the present. The Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for bronchial asthma will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the March 2002 rating decision denying service connection for asthma was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, with no higher ratings warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's 100% rating for asthma is restored as the reduction was not properly considered.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The issues of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to August 27, 2012, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent since August 27, 2012, are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a compensable rating for dermatitis of the bilateral hands. The other issues were either not addressed or denied.