Asthma decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 29, 2012 and subsequently granted a 10 percent rating effective from that date.,Service connection for respiratory disability (asthma) has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and authorization of records from a private provider. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her Reserve and active duty service treatment records, as well as any private sector medical records. She must also be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain her VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma with COPD. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service personnel records and VA medical opinions regarding his claims for asthma, cold urticaria, pharyngitis, eating disorder, depression, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a laceration of the right third finger is held in abeyance pending adjudication of his claim of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right hand. The issues are inextricably intertwined.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, cold urticaria (claimed as a skin condition), pharyngitis, and depression are remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder is remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding its etiology. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for an eating disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his asthma, lower abdominal muscle or groin tear disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be a result of an in-service stressor, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of asthma has been remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to his in-service exposure to chemicals and not due to a service-connected rib fracture. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory/lung disorder.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asthma and the preponderance of evidence indicates that he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) instead. The Board finds that service connection for asthma cannot be granted as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's asthma has not met the criteria for a rating greater than 60 percent since October 29, 2012. The evidence shows that her FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC have been within normal ranges.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant is also granted a service-connected burial allowance.

The Board found no credible evidence of upper extremity disabilities in service or since service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, did not begin in service or due to any disease, injury, or event during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by shortness of breath, finding that her symptoms are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen and establish service connection for asthma, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, right hand disability, left shoulder disability, and right foot disability. The remaining issues are pending further review.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not arise during or within one year of active military service, and there is no causal relationship between the current conditions and his service.,The Veteran has a current respiratory disability, asthma, which is etiologically related to his extended exposure to coal-burning stoves during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders and peripheral neuropathy.