Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease warrants a 100 percent rating for the period from September 9, 1996 to September 8, 1997. For the remaining periods, his disability does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by medications used to treat her service-connected asthma, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's asthma disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and searching for any missing service treatment records. A new VA examination will also be arranged to evaluate the severity of his asthma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, respiratory infections, asthma, and pneumonia due to new evidence submitted since the August 1990 rating decision. The claims for sinus problems and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma disability rating is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated records.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for right fibular fracture and asthma, as well as service connection for tingling in fingers of the right hand. The Veteran's right fibular fracture is rated at 10 percent from January 17, 2017 forward, while his asthma remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and other conditions, leading the Board to grant a TDIU effective September 19, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected asthma was denied because the evidence did not show that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, sinusitis, right and left knee disabilities, and a psychiatric disorder, are found to be sufficient for the Board to grant a TDIU due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD, as well as chronic headaches, have been reopened. The evidence now supports the possibility that these conditions may be related to his military service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's asthma, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection. The decision is based on the merits of these claims.

The Board has determined that the March 2004 rating decision denying service connection for asthma as secondary to sarcoidosis is not final, and the appellant's claim of reopening the previously denied claim should be considered. The Board also found that a remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's asthma.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of spermatocele removal and right inguinal hernia are granted. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the OSA and asthma at 50 percent, and hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's asthma with nocturnal hypoxemia is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder (to include asthma) is not service-connected, but her hypertension is found to be secondary to her service-connected bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current asthma and his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disability, including asthma and lung nodules, as it found that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disorders are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected asthma, due to insufficient opinion regarding aggravation. The Veteran and his representative have presented arguments suggesting a possible causal relationship between asthma and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on objective PFT results and medication use.,PFB is currently rated as noncompensable. The evidence did not show systemic therapy or more than five percent of exposed areas affected.