Asthma decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma and COPD are not related to his military service, including in-service asbestos exposure or service-connected pleural plaques. The acquired psychiatric disability is also not related to his military service, specifically his service-connected pleural plaques.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's respiratory condition, including cough, syncope and asthma, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bronchial condition, including asthma, was incurred during her third period of active service and is not related to her first two periods of service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma and COPD, was not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic otitis media, adult fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, residuals of a left wrist injury, and asthma. The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The claims for asthma and testicular tumor are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them at his February 2015 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and respiratory disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 50 percent initial rating effective December 9, 2010.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Dixie Regional Medical Center on March 27, 2007 were authorized by VA under a contract for QTC (fee based) medical services and are therefore eligible for payment or reimbursement.

The Veteran's asthma was productive of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV-1) of 56 percent predicted, but not FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted or; FEV-1/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations. Therefore, an initial 30 percent evaluation was granted effective December 5, 2008.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, TBI, and asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that his lung condition is not due to any incident of his active duty service or caused by a service-connected disability. The Board also found that he did not incur additional permanent disability as a result of VA treatment for a left eye cataract.

The Veteran's asthma and loss of sensation in the right hand have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and no allegations of error remain.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of service connection for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and rashes and slow healing sores due to an undiagnosed illness (also claimed as a skin condition) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The appellant does not have spina bifida, which is the only birth defect that warrants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 for a child born with birth defects as the child of a Vietnam veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including bronchiectasis and asthma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an opinion regarding the etiology of any current lung disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.