Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for asthma was denied in April 2008 and again in March 2010. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at February 22, 2012, which is not earlier than when entitlement arose.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's asthma and his service, including any exposure to asbestos or other contaminants.

The Veteran's asthma, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, residuals of TBI, and migraine headaches have been reopened for further review.

The Board denied service connection for right knee tendonitis and remanded the issues of increased evaluations for asthma and cluster headaches.,For the period from November 3, 2009 to October 3, 2017, the Veteran's asthma was granted a 30% evaluation. For the period after October 4, 2017, the claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic restricted breathing condition and obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened since the last VA examination in September 2012, and a new examination is needed to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain missing medical records. The primary issues are the rating of bronchial asthma and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which may be related to his asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma, claimed as shortness of breath or a lung condition, is service-connected due to credible reports of environmental exposure and symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the December 2015 remand directives and thus, the case is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a TDIU effective December 23, 2010.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection of a lung condition is granted. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for asthma because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the Veteran's statements were found to be cumulative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for spondylolysis, spina bifida occulta, and asthma due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asthma and emphysema due to outstanding records that may show worsening of asthma during service, which could affect the determination of whether emphysema is secondary to asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and hypertension, finding that a new VA examination is needed to address her in-service exposures and symptomatology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma due to new evidence, but remanded for further development including a VA examination and verification of asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking sarcoidosis to service.