Asthma decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected GERD disability, and thus grants service connection for asthma secondary to GERD.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not manifested in service or within a year following his discharge from active duty, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is related to his service, to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's asthma was not manifested in service and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is related to his service, to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's asthma claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and updated treatment records. The initial ratings for his depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and asthma with COPD are under review.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for hypertension and asthma. The Veteran's hypertension was not present during active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no medical opinion linking his current condition to military service. For asthma, while a diagnosis existed prior to service, the VA examiner concluded that it did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service and is less likely than not related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's asthma existed prior to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and was not aggravated during this time, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is found to have had its onset during his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for asthma. Service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute due to a need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a lung disorder, including but not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to trichloroethylene exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's appeal to the September 2009 rating decision for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma has been dismissed due to a lack of timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's asthma and major depression have been granted increased ratings, while his low back strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities remain at their current levels. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran has been granted a TDIU since January 8, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder (including asthma, emphysema and COPD), skin disorder of the hands, and chronic dizziness and lack of balance. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to chemicals.

The Board found no evidence of a continuity of symptoms from service to the present for sleep apnea, asthma, allergies, and back disability. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to service.,The Veteran's current back disability is more likely due to an age-related process accelerated by his overweight status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was incurred in service and granted service connection. The esophageal disorder other than GERD is related to service, as are asthma and bronchitis. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder were denied.

The Veteran's asthma is considered to have been incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is not due to a severe burn injury, including as an inhalation injury. Therefore, the special home adaptation grant claim must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic respiratory disorders, including asthma, COPD and emphysema, are related to her military service exposure to smoke and fumes from burning oil pits during her deployment in Southwest Asia. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding his left ankle condition and respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's asthma was incurred in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.