Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, particularly clavicle disorder, cervical strain, and asthma. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and pneumonia due to incomplete records from his Army Reserve service. The examination is needed to determine if any respiratory disorders are related to active service or Active Duty for Training.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disorder, headaches, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current disability that began during or was otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her functional bowel disorder was granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective July 2, 2012.,The appellant's attempt to establish an earlier effective date for her asthma service connection was denied.

The Veteran's asthma claim is reopened, and his pes planus and left arm scar claims are denied. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding her ability to work prior to July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, have been rated at a 60 percent disability rating for the period prior to November 10, 2014. A TDIU has also been granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's current back condition was not incurred in or caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disability (asthma) were also denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, low potassium, and low calcium have been denied. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to his ankle disabilities. The Veteran is not shown to have asthma and there is no current diagnosis of nasal septum impairment, sinus problems or rhinitis that can be linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and a 30 percent rating is granted for bronchial asthma prior to April 16, 2009. The issues of PTSD, sleep apnea, effective date earlier than February 26, 2015, for the grant of Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), and total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 26, 2015 are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's asthma disability is remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity and manifestations. The case is also referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical examinations for the Veteran's claimed left hip disorder and respiratory disorder (to include asthma). The Veteran served in the United States Air Force from August 2003 to August 2005.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of asthma has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of increasing the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, PTSD, and inguinal hernia were denied. The claim for PTSD was also remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability is granted from October 8, 2008 to January 20, 2016. The issue of TDIU prior to July 20, 2012 remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.