Asthma decisions — 2018

Service connection granted for bronchial asthma due to aggravation during service.,Service connection denied for right hip condition and left hip condition.,Service connection denied for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to multiple conditions, including cancer and sepsis. The Board found that the Veteran served during a period of war and thus met one criterion for entitlement to VA death pension benefits. However, his income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, preventing him from receiving this benefit.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease and cause of death due to pulmonary fibrosis are granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting asthma and COPD existed prior to service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation, and no higher rating can be granted based on functional loss. The claims for increased ratings for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea, a neck disorder, left hand disability (held in abeyance), and a left shoulder disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and found that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected benign granulomatous disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether her new diagnosis of asthma is related to or separate from her existing condition.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for asthma. The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability as defined by VA regulations. Service connection for a right finger disability and a bilateral foot disability were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory diagnoses.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's respiratory disorder other than lung cancer and asthma, including bronchiectasis, is denied as not related to any disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while the respiratory disability remains unclear and requires further examination. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC was within the range for a 30 percent rating.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's right upper extremity disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lung disability (asthma), and bilateral foot disability. The claims were denied as there was no probative evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left thigh or hip disability and asthma. The case is REMANDED to obtain private treatment records, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the claims on appeal, including obtaining an addendum opinion for the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and asthma. The heart condition claim will also be remanded due to its connection to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the RO's denial of service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, bronchitis, COPD, sinusitis, and rhinitis, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are presumed to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's asthma is related to his military service, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current condition.