Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma and chronic bronchitis. The Board found that his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, and she is now receiving TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is not established. The VA examiner noted conflicting evidence regarding this condition.,Service connection for bilateral fungus in the external ears is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for nosebleeds is not established as no etiological opinion was provided by any VA examiner.,Service connection for asthma is not established. The Veteran's service records suggest LEEP was related to cervical dysplasia, but HPV status is unclear.,Service connection for renal cyst, left side is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis and the possibility that urinary frequency issues may be unrelated to the cyst.,Service connection for status post cervix loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is pending as it requires clarification regarding HPV status.,The Veteran's right knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since then. The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 0 percent (non-compensable). The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder scars are currently rated as non-compensable. A new VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of her shoulder scars and their associated symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis, is related to his active service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, asthma, and left middle finger injury were all denied initial increased ratings. The adjustment disorder was rated at 50% from November 28, 2012 to December 12, 2017, and from February 1, 2018 to February 21, 2018.

The Board has remanded two issues: asthma and hypertension. The Veteran's asthma and hypertension are being evaluated based on their onset during service or due to exposure to hazardous agents in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lung or respiratory disability, including asthma. The evidence submitted since the July 2002 rating decision was not new and material.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma was not shown to have started during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to any in-service injury. The Board found the Veteran's testimony about his symptoms in service to be unreliable.

The Veteran's seizure disability and major depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70% rating for his major depressive disorder prior to July 15, 2015. He also receives TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for muscle aches and joint pain, right knee disability, upper and lower back disability, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), heart disorder, headache disability, and irritable colon syndrome.

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent bronchitis, IBS, PTSD (prior to September 1, 2017), PTSD (from September 1, 2017 onwards), restless leg syndrome, and chronic headaches have been granted service connection. The rating for PTSD has been increased from 50% to 70%.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma disability.

Service connection is denied for a right ear hearing loss disability, hyperlipidemia, asthma, hypertension, major depressive disorder, left hamstring tendonitis, and mechanical low back strain.,The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's current asthma is not related to his in-service exposure events and did not begin during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of asthma and a back condition for further medical guidance due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disability, and asthma. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and bronchial asthma as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including addressing the propriety of a reduction in rating and an increased evaluation for right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The appeal for TDIU was also denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's current respiratory condition may have begun during his two-week period of active duty training in Mississippi, but this needs further clarification. His acquired psychiatric disorder is also under review.