Asthma decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and sarcoidosis, as these conditions are not presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran served in Vietnam but was not exposed to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including sleep apnea and asthma, is being remanded due to the need for further development. The issue will be reconsidered in light of all theories of entitlement.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic sleep disorder is proximately due to his service-connected cyclothymic disorder. The lung or bronchial disorder, claimed as asthma, is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected cyclothymic disorder. However, there are conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran had a pre-existing condition that was aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically his current diagnoses of COPD, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including GERD and H. pylori infection, asthma, bilateral foot disability, left knee and right knee DJD, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver disability other than cavernous liver hemangioma.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD were denied service connection, while his headaches prior to March 20, 2015 were granted a 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the appellant's claims, including those regarding service connection. The character of discharge issue is also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The tumor on the left side of the throat was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increases in the staged ratings for his pulmonary disability has been withdrawn due to his intent to withdraw the appeal. The Board no longer has jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was granted, with the Board finding that his service-connected asthma significantly impacts his ability to work and requiring extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant VA and private treatment records, specifically from the Wilmington CBOC and Dr. Mahoney. The Veteran's claim of service connection for mixed obstructive and restrictive airway disease (claimed as asthma) is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchial asthma is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, including sarcoidosis and asthma, is not etiologically linked to his military service, specifically exposure to asbestos or smoke/chemical inhalation. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory, skin, and hypertension disorders.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination for his service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, asthma, emphysema, intestinal polyps with blood, lung cancer, and silicosis. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 28, 2010 to September 8, 2013 due to his service-connected asthma and PTSD. Prior to this period, he was gainfully employed full-time at the credit union.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including chronic interstitial lung disease and bronchial asthma. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records from the Veteran's physician and provide a new opinion regarding whether his service-connected bronchial asthma contributed to his cause of death.