Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for asthma, which she contends is secondary to her service-connected sinusitis. The Board has decided that additional development is needed and the case will be remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was adequately addressed by the rating schedule and did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation. The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extra-schedular basis prior to January 19, 2010 was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the existence and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory symptoms, including asthma. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current asthma condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a pulmonary disability, including as due to exposure to asbestos. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability. The case is now pending for further development and an appropriate opinion from a vocational expert.

The Board has ordered a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma, specifically whether it is related to service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, respiratory disorder (other than obstructive sleep apnea), and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 10 percent prior to July 24, 2014 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, asthma, eczema, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disease. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for keloids of the left ear and neck.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis), asthma, arthritis, intestinal tumors, GERD, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities, migraine headaches, and disability manifested by night sweats are not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or etiology related to military service.,The Veteran's skin disorders (claimed as acne and skin growths) are service-connected.

The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure due to COPD, which is etiologically related to his in-service chronic respiratory disorders. The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorder, allergies, and BPH. The initial ratings assigned will be determined at a later stage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and asthma are associated with his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examination opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining the requested records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that his statements regarding active duty were not credible. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking his current respiratory disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's asthma has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent, as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC have consistently been within normal ranges. The evidence does not show that he required at least monthly visits to a physician for exacerbations or used systemic corticosteroids.

The Veteran's asthma and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's shortness of breath is related to service exposure, while his sleep apnea status remains unclear. His PTSD has been rated at 50%.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's residuals from a fracture of the right index finger are currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 10 percent, as he has a gap of one inch or more between the index fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm.