Asthma decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for asthma and chronic cough, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and sleep apnea have been denied. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD has also been denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service.

The Veteran's allergy-induced headaches are rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 50 percent, effective October 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma has been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6847 (sleep apnea) or 6602 (asthma).

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to exposure during Project SHAD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung disorders and their relation to his service, specifically Napalm exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and GERD. Effective December 30, 2011, the Veteran was awarded service connection for fibromyalgia, asthma, and cold induced urticaria with a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is granted an initial 60 percent rating, effective November 29, 2002. Hay fever remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right knee disorder, upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and others. The TDIU claim is also being considered as a component of these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for asthma, including respiratory issues and chest pain, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of asthma related to his in-service exposure to sand storms and burn pits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service treatment records from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left and right foot neuropathy, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer residuals, and residuals of prostate cancer due to a lack of adequate examination opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and herbicide exposure. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pulmonary condition, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease involving the cervical spine is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for asthma remains pending due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for asthma due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's current asthma is not related to her in-service complaints or any disease or injury incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's pulmonary disease, related to asbestos exposure and asthma, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic nephropathy. The VA examiner opined that the preponderance of medical literature does not establish a causal relationship between drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and the development of chronic kidney disease in the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of hypertension, Sjogren’s syndrome, bilateral hip disability, neck disability, back disability, asthma, bilateral CTS, left knee disorder, and seizures are all granted. The claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, IBS, and TMJ syndrome have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchial asthma is related to her service, granting service connection for this condition.