Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for iliopsoas bursitis, but denied asthma. The Veteran had a diagnosis of iliopsoas bursitis during her active service and the onset was in-service. For asthma, there is no current diagnosis found in the record.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating under the criteria for direct service connection. The VA examiner found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on FEV-1 or FVC measurements, and he did not require systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory/lung disorders and whether they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim regarding his character of discharge, which is a bar to VA benefits. The Veteran's military service was deemed dishonorable due to violent acts committed against other soldiers.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of pneumonia is being remanded due to insufficient detail in the May 2017 VA medical examination report regarding his right lung abnormalities documented in his service treatment records.

The Board found that the Appellant's current COPD, acute respiratory disease, asthma, and bronchitis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's asthma has not met the criteria for a higher rating, and no extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent effective February 14, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 12, 2011 for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for asthma. The earliest possible application was in September 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's essential tremors are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, headaches, left foot plantar fasciitis, and epilepsy have been granted. The specific rating changes are as follows: asthma to 30 percent; headaches from 10 to a higher level; left foot plantar fasciitis to a higher level; and epilepsy to a higher level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, claimed as breathing trouble, is not related to his active duty service and denies the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and addressing whether the Veteran's asthma and hypertension are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's COPD was first manifest during service and the Board granted service connection for COPD.