Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to service, including as secondary to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, service connection for asthma was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including COPD and asthma, due to exposure to chemicals during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of diagnosed respiratory/pulmonary disorders, including COPD and other conditions. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for exercise-induced asthma, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as diarrhea and stomach problems), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and short term memory loss due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's asthma was restored to a 60 percent rating, and he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for asthma and COPD due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The case is now being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tuberculosis was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is denied. The evidence does not support finding that the Veteran’s current low back disability was caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology during active service. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma) due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma with a history of multiple spontaneous pneumothorax is being remanded for further evaluation and additional medical records to be obtained.

The Veteran's respiratory condition and chest pain are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that the Veteran's STRs did not show any diagnosis or treatment for asthma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's asthma is related to his service. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of more than intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of chronic vertigo is related to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), heart disability, hypertension, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not show that his current diagnosis of tinnitus began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bronchial asthma was denied because his PFT findings showed no worse than FEV-1 score of 88 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC score of 82 percent, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right leg injury was denied as the scar measurement (10 cm x 0.5 cm) did not meet the criteria under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that the current low back disorder is not related to service.