Asthma decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70% disability rating is warranted prior to October 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of separate evaluations for his obstructive sleep apnea, bronchitis and asthma was denied as the January 2013 rating decision correctly applied the regulations to combine these conditions into a single evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with some conditions receiving a presumption of herbicide exposure and others being granted based on the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed asthma is not related to his active service, including exposure to burning garbage and feces during deployment in Iraq. The claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of an increased rating for asthma will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis and acute respiratory distress, was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that new and material evidence was received. The Board also granted service connection for both conditions as they are directly related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his asthma. The issues of TDIU and higher evaluation for bronchial asthma are also before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and for consideration of her claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for asthma, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during or immediately after service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is being remanded due to the need to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and related respiratory disabilities are related to service, as his preexisting COPD worsened during active duty.

The Veteran's asthma disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 28, 2011. The rating is based on the need for daily inhalational therapy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, asthma, and vertigo have been granted. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with asthma and his vertigo has been linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma and TMJ syndrome were denied. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The propriety of the reduction in his disability rating for service-connected asthma from 30 percent to noncompensable must also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg, hip, and hand disabilities as well as asthma have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disability related to these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service does not qualify for non-service connected death pension benefits as there is no evidence of qualifying wartime service or active duty for training with a service-connected condition. The appeal is denied.