Asthma decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected asthma is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as her pulmonary function tests have consistently been within normal limits and she has not required systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, respiratory disorder (asthma), and hepatitis C. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for a back disorder.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 2, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability, including COPD with an asthmatic component, is not service-connected due to it being related to his extensive tobacco use. The back disability was also denied as there was insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, and a low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly address these issues, including obtaining medical records from Dr. R.W.A.R., providing proper VCAA notice regarding the secondary service connection claim, and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is not causally or etiologically related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's lung condition, including pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, COPD, asthma, and emphysema, is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, verify service in Vietnam, and provide a VA examination.

For the period from October 17, 2008 to April 22, 2014, the Veteran's respiratory disorder was rated at 60 percent due to intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids and daily inhalational therapy. For the period from April 23, 2014, the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher rating as he experienced more frequent exacerbations requiring monthly physician visits.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the March 2014 VA examiner regarding the Veteran's asthma. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous decision and a need for further medical development, including an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis with asthma and granted this claim on the merits.,Service connection is now established for sarcoidosis with asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic lung disability, including asthma and COPD, is related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, is found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also found to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's asthma requires intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids or daily use of systemic high dose corticosteroids, and for clarification on the dates of such treatment.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher initial rating prior to June 18, 2013 for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma was incurred in service due to exposure to environmental elements during active duty.

For the pendency of the appeal, a rating of 60 percent is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma, has been reopened. The Board finds that the new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim and thus denies it.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially-gainful occupation.