Asthma decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, is related to his period of service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, gout, and asthma due to inadequate VA medical opinions and outstanding private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudication due to the need to determine if service connection is warranted for COPD, which may affect the rating assigned for the Veteran's respiratory disability. The TDIU claim will also be considered in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current asthma was incurred during his active duty service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is being reviewed, as are his claims for COPD and sleep apnea. The Board has determined that a remand is required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of pneumonia, to include asthma and COPD, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, including emphysema and chronic asthma, due to exposure to welding and diesel exhaust during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is related to his service exposure to asbestos. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and depression, as well as for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and rhinitis are considered to have contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 21, 2009 are met.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma with asbestos-related pleural plaques is currently rated at 60 percent from January 8, 2014. The evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bronchial asthma were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected bronchial asthma, nor did he provide any medical evidence to support this claim. For the hypertension claim, the failure to report for VA examinations is considered a basis for denial. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in connection with his reopened claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 11, 2008 for service connection of carpal pedal spasms in both the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied seizure disorder (now diagnosed as carpal pedal spasms) is considered moot.

The Veteran's depression is service connected as secondary to his service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities. His tinnitus, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, asthma, and hypertension are not service connected.

The Veteran's initial rating for his bronchial asthma was granted at a 30 percent level effective from May 23, 2008. The current rating is considered appropriate based on the criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 6602.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected asthma and bilateral retinitis pigmentosa. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations for the Veteran's left leg/knee disability, low back disability, asthma, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disorder.