Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's asthma and ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondroma of the right knee and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are granted as both conditions are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's asthma, which is service connected and rated at 60%, has precluded substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The criteria for a grant of TDIU secondary to asthma have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any radiation exposure information. The Veteran will also be given another opportunity to appear for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not cause unemployability, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to her active duty service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and IPF, was manifested many years after his separation from service and the preponderance of the competent evidence shows it is not related to, caused by, or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information from the VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bronchial asthma with bronchitis (also claimed as double pneumonia) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, or asthma. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions on both direct and presumptive grounds.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability as a result of heat exposure in service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection for residuals of heat exposure, including dizziness. The claim for asthma is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's asthma claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), back disability, cervical spine disability, heart disability, bilateral ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability are not service connected. The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were found to be aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, including lung disability and bronchial asthma. The Veteran's new evidence includes VA and private treatment records indicating current respiratory or lung disorders and his assertion that he was treated for pneumonia while in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, second degree heart block and/or stroke and or pacemaker implantation, to include as secondary to service-connected first degree heart block, and a compensable rating for first degree heart block. The issues of service connection for asthma and a compensable rating for first degree heart block are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's current lung disabilities, other than the already service-connected restrictive lung disease, were not caused by an event in service; and are not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service connected disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.