Asthma decisions — 2018

The claim of service connection for COPD and asthma is granted. The issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and asthma, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, bronchitis, and asthma, are granted. The Board also grants a TDIU due to these conditions, given the combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's pleurisy is denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, rated at 10% prior to May 27, 2016 and now rated at 10%, is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma and epididymitis.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The Board also found that he had a current diagnosis of bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and denied service connection for swollen bilateral ankles.,Service connection was granted for hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during service. The bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to May 27, 2003 is denied. The earliest possible effective dates are the current ones.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and hemoptysis, sleep apnea, and PTSD due to lack of medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service or claimed exposures. The Veteran is also asked to provide more details about any personal assault stressors.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for verification of his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but remanded the issue of service connection for asthma due to a lack of clarity in the medical opinions provided.

The Board found that the Appellant concealed a past history of asthma, which would have prevented his enlistment. As a result, his discharge from service is considered dishonorable and he cannot receive VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic cough and respiratory disorder, exercised-induced asthma, unexplained infertility due to burn pit exposure, residual scar of the right upper back status post excision of compound nevus, contact dermatitis, left foot ingrown toenails, and right foot ingrown toenails have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Raynaud’s syndrome has been granted. The Board found that her Raynaud’s syndrome is related to service exposure to burn pits.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma due to insufficient examination report and lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent. The Veteran's asthma has also been granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but only after the period from April 9, 2015 onwards. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and her service-connected asthma, as well as the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and testing related to the Veteran's asthma.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with atopic asthma and chronic bronchitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded two issues of service connection for recurrent respiratory and skin disorders, as they are related to in-service exposure to hydrochloric acid and jet fuel. The VA will search the medical records from McChord Air Force Base and Paine Field Air Force Base for treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for hypermetropia, astigmatism, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and PTSD) as the evidence did not show a superimposed injury or disease that caused additional disability during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for back disability, asthma, and eczema as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected asthma, but more evidence is needed to determine this relationship.