Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The remaining issues were not addressed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran has asthma which warrants a separate evaluation.

The Veteran's asthma condition is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board has granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her cervical strain, right upper extremity disability (other than cervical radiculopathy), and asthma claims.

The Veteran's asthma is not service-connected as it was preexisting and did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's common variable immune deficiency was first manifested during service or caused by chemical exposures in service, which led to his secondary conditions including asthma, mycoplasma infection, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of pneumonia. Service connection is granted for these secondary conditions.

The Veteran's asthma has been rated at 60 percent since December 3, 2015. The issue of a higher rating for his psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis, respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma), and headaches disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychophysiological reaction of the respiratory system with bronchial asthma was rated at 100% effective July 2, 2010.,Depressive disorder associated with asthma has been rated at 70% since December 20, 2010.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma or bronchitis were aggravated by service. The COPD is attributed to his over twenty pack-year smoking history, not service exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, asthma and sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, including pneumonia and bronchial asthma with left lung granuloma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including asthma, is not related to service or asbestos exposure. The back and hip disorders are also not linked to service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was manifested by symptoms such as wheezing, breath loss, and fatigue during the period from November 2, 1998 to July 8, 2014. The VA examinations showed FEV-1 of 48 percent of predicted value and FEV-1/FVC of 58 percent of predicted value post-bronchodilator. He managed his disability with use of Albuterol rather than daily use of high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.

The Veteran's asthma has been rated at 60 percent since January 28, 2009. The VA Board denied an increased rating for his asthma.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of his claim. The appeal for service connection for asthma was reopened but denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's asthma has not met the criteria for a higher rating as his pulmonary function tests have shown that he does not require more than daily inhalational therapy, which is already reflected in the current 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and/or chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board hearing.