Asthma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for macular degeneration (on a new and material basis), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, skin disorder, onychomycosis, residuals of right index finger disability, and GERD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's unspecified mood disorder is found to be related to active duty service, while his pulmonary disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lung disability, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. The case has been remanded due to the need for an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to March 24, 2008 and from November 19, 2009 to May 30, 2016. The rating has been increased to 60 percent as of May 31, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to service connection for an upper back disorder. Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability and asthma, both found to be related to active duty for training. The claim of new and material evidence to reopen the sleep apnea claim is allowed.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder, headaches, and respiratory disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending service connection claims. The issues of service connection for various conditions are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a respiratory examination. The issues of service connection for asthma/COPD and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD are rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective from January 30, 2002.,His MDD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's asthma was characterized by at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or intermittent (at least three times a year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids, warranting a 60 percent disability rating. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD have been rated at 100 percent since June 22, 2005. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted due to the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's atopic asthma is rated at 30 percent prior to July 24, 2006 and 60 percent thereafter. His right lower extremity numbness, pain, and tingling is currently rated at 60 percent. The left lower extremity numbness, pain, and tingling is currently rated at 10 percent.