Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma was reopened and granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted, but the right knee condition, back problems, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma), nerve damage of the feet, and hyperkeratoses of the feet. The claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of audiometric test results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are not entitled to higher ratings based on the provided evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma, COPD, and hypertension. The decision found no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchial asthma is service-connected as it began during his active duty and continues to this day. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran, which showed a history of respiratory issues in childhood consistent with asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and the need for an addendum from a VA medical examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issues include confirmation of completeness of the Veteran's service treatment records and obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected MDD, other service-connected disabilities, or their medications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthmatic bronchitis and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted, and the issue of aggravation of COPD/asthma by his service-connected PTSD and/or gastritis with GERD is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's current diagnoses of asthma and sarcoidosis were first noted decades after his separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, and asthma. The effective dates are set to April 26, 2013, which is the day following the Veteran's separation from active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed conditions prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the reduction of SMC payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense was proper, thus denying the appeal for restoration of SMC payments.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and asthma are currently rated at 50 percent combined, but the Board has determined that separate evaluations for each condition cannot be granted due to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.96.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder (claimed as asthma) because the evidence did not show it was incurred in or related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was reopened. The Board denied temporary total ratings based on hospitalization or convalescence due to his back disability, and did not find that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The appeals for respiratory disability and melanoma on the right side of the abdomen are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence in his claims file, particularly regarding his Reserve service records and treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private medical records related to his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development of service personnel records and treatment records, including those related to National Guard service. The Veteran's conditions are left elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, rib, abdominal pain, forehead scar, rash on face, forehead dryness, head injury, hyperventilation, asthma, cervical spine disability, left knee, hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including rheumatism, bilateral hearing loss, asthmatic bronchitis, fractures of fingers, and a scar. The Veteran is to be provided with an opportunity to authorize VA to obtain records from Dr. R., and a VA examination is required to address the relationship between current disorders and service.