Asthma decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, thyroid cancer (Graves' disease and excessive fatigue), and brain tumor (acoustic neuroma) are not service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and allergies are not related to his military service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty. The Veteran did not report symptoms of either condition during service or on subsequent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is not etiologically related to his active service, including his in-service pneumonia and exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current asthma was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's depression disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his persistent allergic asthma is rated at 30 percent. The effective date for these ratings has not been specified.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and a low back disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found not to be related to his active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to service, specifically his asbestos exposure during military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent disabling throughout the appeal period and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating for asthma and also denied TDIU based on lack of evidence showing the Veteran is precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bronchial asthma was denied on the merits in August 1966 and again in August 1970. The evidence received since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, respiratory disorder (manifested by sinusitis and/or rhinitis), and respiratory disorder (manifested by asthma) conditions are not related to her military service. Her hypertension is also not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for consideration of Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's other claims seeking increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been granted, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected disabilities caused by exposure to herbicides. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, which preexisted her periods of service, was not aggravated during either period of active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since March 8, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to service. The pre-existing condition of asthma was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lung conditions are related to his service, including exposure to asbestos, lead or chromium paint chips and burning nylon.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is service-connected, and he was granted higher initial disability evaluations for his left ankle sprain with reflex sympathetic dystrophy and right ankle sprain. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sinusitis, finding no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.