Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine if his respiratory disorders were pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete actions following a previous remand.

The Board found that the appellant was not a 'helpless child' at age 18 due to his ability to support himself through his own efforts, despite having some health conditions and disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and fibromyalgia, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran's asthma with calcified lymph nodes and granulomas of the lung is granted as service connected due to exposure to sodium dichromate during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and assigned a temporary 100% evaluation based on hospitalization and convalescence for brain tumor removal surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The issues include increased ratings for asthma and chronic infectious sinusitis, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and asthma are rated under a single 50% disability rating. The criteria for separate ratings for these conditions do not apply due to the overlapping manifestations of breathing difficulties, and pyramiding is prohibited by regulation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for an effective date prior to August 5, 2015 for tinnitus has also been denied.,The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that has not been reviewed by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, respiratory disability (sinusitis, asthma), and left knee disability. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and schedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims. The left leg disability was found to warrant a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, while the left shoulder disability warranted a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's asthma was not manifested by more than a 30 percent disability rating from June 23, 2008 forward. The evidence did not show the need for systemic corticosteroids or at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations.

The Board found no evidence of a respiratory disability in service and concluded that the current respiratory disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's lay statements were deemed insufficient to establish medical etiology or nexus.

The Veteran's non-specific headaches were not found to be service-connected as they clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of active duty service, and clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrated that the disability was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including asthma and various musculoskeletal issues. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain SSA records and translate Spanish documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD, and for entitlement to TDIU. The Board found that there was no nexus between the Veteran's diagnosed COPD and other pulmonary disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility disorder, right and left foot hallux valgus, migraine headaches, asthma, psoriasis, and alopecia are all rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.