Asthma decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions due to the Appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions, which is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of frequent exacerbations or use of systemic corticosteroids.

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition. Additionally, because an increased rating could impact TDIU, both issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma is claimed to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, but a VA examiner found this unlikely. The Board has ordered further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and additional issues raised by a VA clinician's opinion. The appellant is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records, including those from Dr. Klein.

The Veteran's asthma is denied as service connection because his discharge under other than honorable conditions from his second period of active service constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ALS, asthma and breathing problems, and allergies due to insufficient evidence in the file.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is now rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period, and his TDIU request is dismissed as moot due to the rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new theories of entitlement and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his asthma rating and effective date is being remanded for clarification on the use of corticosteroids to treat his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma may be related to his military service, specifically his exposure to DDT. However, due to a duty to assist error regarding DDT exposure and inadequate etiology opinions, additional development is required.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma. The Veteran's back disability was not linked to his time in service or pre-existed it. His hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military noise exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.,The decision denied all claims as there was no evidence linking any of the conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a breathing problem, specifically asthma and chronic cough with reversible airway disease component, is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation by a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for bilateral pes planus are granted. The issues of service connection for a respiratory condition and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50%.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30%, and no higher, due to his condition not meeting criteria for a higher rating based on FEV-1 or use of systemic corticosteroids.,The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD, as well as his initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and assistance, which is granted for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with moderate obstructive defect is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has found that the evidence shows an increase in frequency of asthma attacks and increased medication use, warranting a remand for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer, earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim of service connection for asthma has been granted. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder has also been granted.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for upper respiratory infection (claimed as restrictive airway disease secondary to photo lab chemical exposure) has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma (claimed as lung damage) has been granted.