Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for a low back disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The rating for mild persistent asthma remains on appeal and will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea or a sleep disorder, and vision loss. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or that they are not related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's 38 U.S.C. 1151 claim for side effects of medication taken for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded due to additional evidence received since March 2015.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the issues have not yet been recertified for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle and knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, CTS (bilateral upper extremities), bilateral leg numbness, and asthma. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, conducting new examinations to determine etiology, and ensuring compliance with directives.

The claim for service connection for bronchial asthma and COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions are under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea (secondary to asthma) due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder and asthma have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a brain tumor is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of whether she has a respiratory disorder, including chronic airway obstruction and asthma.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (neck disorder) while others were denied (asthma and sleep apnea). Service connection was decided on the merits in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis is denied. From September 1, 2013, but not before, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, and joint pain. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, TDIU prior to June 15, 2011, and SMP based on need for aid and attendance are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been dismissed. A compensable rating (30%) is granted for COPD with asthma, but the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal condition with nausea and right shoulder rotator cuff tear remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, asthma, and right hand conditions. The decision on left hand condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his respiratory conditions, including whether they preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for bronchial asthma was denied. The Board found that the evidence received did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's skin disorder, dermatophytosis/jungle rot of the feet, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), hypertension (secondary to PTSD), asthma, and a right foot disability were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective July 31, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective March 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 was also granted.