Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for various conditions, including bone islands, red blood cell condition, high liver levels, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), high muscle enzymes, joint pain, teeth loss, back and spinal degeneration, sinusitis, asthma, fungus of the feet, deformity of the toes, left foot, deformity of the toes, right foot, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for non-Hodgkins, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma and diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for asthma was also granted.,Heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are all remanded for further evaluation as there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on these claims.

The Veteran's asthma, anxiety disorder, and sinus headaches have been granted service connection. The rating for sinus headaches has been increased to 30 percent. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and anxiety have been reopened due to new evidence. However, the claim for asthma has not been reopened.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, and increased ratings for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's asthma is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive ventilatory defect.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for service connection, including private treatment records from various doctors and Social Security Administration disability benefits documents.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain, heart surgery, and migraines due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are denied. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma, and COPD due to lack of a causal link between the current disability and active military service. The Veteran's hammertoe disabilities were also denied as there was no evidence of claw foot or hammertoe across all toes on either foot.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for her service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was denied in July 2002 and has not been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within a year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis was denied due to lack of evidence of the condition during or within a year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune, was granted based on VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's cystic fibrosis with asthma and pneumonia was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to April 12, 2012.,From April 12, 2012 to May 18, 2016, the Veteran's disability rating was increased to 60 percent.,Beginning May 18, 2016, a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes and other criteria.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for asthma due to unclear nature of the Veteran's active duty service and potential exposure to mold during ADSW periods.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as anxiety/panic disorder) due to a lack of a requested hearing. The documents written in Spanish need to be translated into English.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obesity is dismissed. The Board grants secondary service connection for sleep apnea as related to asthma, effective November 5, 2012. The Board denies the request for an earlier effective date for asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, nasal swelling (including sinusitis), and respiratory disability (including asthma) have been granted. The decision also reopened the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her asthma, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or related to active duty. The Veteran's claims for sinus and respiratory disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bronchial asthma, a full body rash, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's exposure is presumed due to his service in the Air Force or Air Force Reserve under circumstances involving contact with C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicide agents during Vietnam.