Asthma decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence showing his pre-existing asthma was aggravated by, or otherwise linked to, his military service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including as due to mustard gas exposure during service. The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention of in-service exposure and there was no medical opinion linking his current lung disability to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will provide further action at a more convenient location for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and low back strain are not found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, originally claimed as bronchial asthma and bronchitis. The preponderance of evidence established that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of COPD but not asthma. The VA examiners concluded that his COPD was more likely due to long-term smoking rather than military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional examinations and development. The issues of service connection, initial ratings, and increased ratings are all pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum VA examination regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and their relation to service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, herbicides, and asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated as 50 percent disabling since August 31, 2010. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating and the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent disabling prior to July 8, 2014. The RO granted a 100 percent disability rating for asthma effective July 8, 2014.,The Veteran was found unemployable due to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to February 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied all of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and pulmonary disorder, but denied them on the merits. The psychiatric claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and sleep apnea, and reopened the claims for migraine headaches and a skin disability. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is not related to service. The appeal is denied.