Asthma decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma did not arise during his period of active duty service and was not otherwise related to such period. The right shoulder disability was also not shown during active duty service or for several years thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for asthma and granted it. Service connection was also established for tinnitus.

The Veteran's asthma was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not related to his in-service exposure. The VA examiner found no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's current asthma and his military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including chronic bronchial asthma and chronic rhinitis, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the condition pre-existed service and did not undergo an increase in severity during his second period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the interrelated issues.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung disability, including asthma. The RO previously denied the claim on the basis that there was no evidence of long-term damage from smoke inhalation in service. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if his current lung conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's asthma is due to service, including his period of ACDUTRA in 1988. The VA examiners concluded that there was no relationship between the Veteran's asthma and his military service.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's respiratory disorder other than sarcoidosis and asthma was incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance benefits was granted. The appeal is denied as there was no valid notice of disagreement filed in connection with the August 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The reduction of the Veteran's asthma disability rating from 60% to 30% is found to be improper and thus void ab initio. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened, but the Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma condition had its onset during service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, bilateral feet bone spurs with falling arches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and asthma, with a rating of 40 percent effective from April 9, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and securing a VA addendum opinion from the May 2016 respiratory examiner to address the etiology of the Veteran's current respiratory disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's asbestos lung disease has not resulted in the required criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. His disability remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's vertigo is related to his service-connected residuals of splenectomy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for asthma and bronchitis.