Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for further medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting asthma did not permanently worsen in service and denied his claim for service connection. The right knee disability was also found to be a direct result of active service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, is found to be related to in-service asbestos exposure and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for asthma with a history of empyema, status post thoracotomies and atrial fibrillation have been denied as the evidence does not show more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by ECG or Holter monitor.

The Veteran's asthma was found to be incurred during active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is related to his active military service, while his PTSD claim cannot be established as it lacks credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's asthma with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, far advanced was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to August 26, 2015.,Starting from August 26, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected asthma with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis was rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, and bronchial asthma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any service-connected disability.,There was no credible evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for separate evaluations for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and depression. His asthma is found not to have been aggravated by his active duty service, but he has no current diagnosis of COPD or kidney disease. The Board grants Section 1151 benefits for urinary incontinence and leakage resulting from the TURP, but denies Section 1151 benefits for retrograde ejaculation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD with asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, effective May 20, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma worsened during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's puretone thresholds were within normal limits during her military service and there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 10 percent prior to November 13, 2015 and at 30 percent since then. The current evaluation is considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2013. He was granted service connection for tinnitus and TDIU, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's asthma with atelectasis and collapsed lung was granted a 60 percent disability rating effective March 16, 2012.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service or a service-connected disability, including his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis and bronchial asthma, as well as a determination on whether his forearm scars are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is denied.