Asthma decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability, other than peripheral neuropathy, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of her appeal. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims regarding CUE in the January 1952 rating decision that reduced his bronchial asthma disability rating from 30 to 10 percent as of March 21, 1952. The reduction was based on a single VA examination dated in November 1951 and did not comply with procedural requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including his Reserve/National Guard duty. The VA examiner concluded that the asthma is less likely than not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claims for service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure, asthma, and sinusitis. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service. The Veteran's asthma is not considered secondary to his pre-existing tuberculosis.,Service connection was also denied for asthma as it is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his asthma and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development of the record, including a need for an addendum opinion from the December 2014 VA examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found no evidence of a sinus condition in service and no credible evidence that the Veteran's current sinus condition is related to his military service. The claims for COPD, asthma, and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma/asbestosis, skin cancer, foot skin disorders, left knee arthritis, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of other joints (excluding the left elbow). The reasons provided are that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for respiratory disorders, including as due to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not related to his active duty or National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides during Vietnam and there is no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B does not warrant a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7345, as there is no evidence of active hepatitis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to other causes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and a VA examination to address the onset of his respiratory disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion or a new examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has asthma and its etiology. The Veteran's lung disability claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are related to his active service. The Veteran was exposed to cold weather during service which may have contributed to his respiratory issues.