Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cervical spine disability and denied his claim for service connection. For asthma, the Board found that the evidence did not support higher staged initial ratings beyond what was already assigned. For PTSD, the Board also found no basis to grant higher staged initial ratings beyond what was already assigned.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD. The current opinions do not adequately address the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current asthma is related to military service and whether any increase in severity during active duty service was due to natural progression or preexisted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's asthma, a service-connected condition rated at 60%, has rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since July 12, 2016. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether he can work due to his asthma and granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected allergic rhinitis due to insufficient medical evidence on record. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records, undergo examinations, and testify at a hearing if needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hemangioma of the face, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa, infertility, skin cancer (claimed as skin cancer of the breast), and asthma due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders, sinus disorder, and asthma are remanded due to new evidence received since the March 1997 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory problems, including asthma and COPD. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and a psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma and bronchitis. It also denied increased ratings for left shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for asthma and UTI, as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for prostate disorder (BPH) and diabetes mellitus, type II have been reopened.,New evidence submitted since previous decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected PTSD, as well as claims for various other disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the need for updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of PTSD and the etiology of asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability and sleep disorder due to lack of a VA examination in relation to these claims.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to uncertainty regarding his use of Prednisone.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding service connection for bronchial asthma, a rating over 40 percent for traumatic brain injury from December 7, 2012 onward, and an effective date prior to December 7, 2012 for TBI. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's asthma and obstructive sleep apnea to his military service.