Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and cervical spine disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and COPD, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602. The VA examiner found that his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC measurements exceeded 55%, indicating he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of rating for back disability, service connection for bronchitis/asthma, and service connection for sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating from April 2, 2014 to February 23, 2017 is granted at a 50 percent disability rating but his request for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent during this period is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and an unspecified skin condition, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during his active duty service. The claims are remanded due to procedural issues with other hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disorders (including asthma and COPD), and bladder disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and asthma have been denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or for years thereafter. The VA examiner concluded that the current asthma with possible COPD variant did not have its onset during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, asthma, and left knee pain. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s knee pain.

The Veteran's claims for COPD with mild asthma, hypertension, and gastroenteritis have been denied as there is no evidence to support their onset during service or a link to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, but his hypertension and respiratory disorder claims are not established. The Board will need to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and determine if a current respiratory disorder exists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory and heart conditions are not related to his service, and his right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

From March 4, 2013 to February 3, 2014, the Veteran's chronic bronchitis was rated as 10 percent disabling.,From February 4, 2014 to October 5, 2016, the Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was rated as 30 percent disabling. From October 6, 2016 onwards, no rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence since the April 2015 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing SSA records. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed for service connection, with consideration given to PTSD and herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the conditions are related to exposure to fumes during military service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was incurred during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of a respiratory disorder, including asthma and hay fever. The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development.