Asthma decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection for eye disorders, respiratory disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and joint problems are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 15, 2014 for a total disability rating for his service-connected asthma. The decision acknowledges the factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran's asthma on that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, chronic respiratory insufficiency, and asthma, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service or exposure to asbestos or herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents and mustard gas has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of asthma to service. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically asthma and COPD. The VA is required to obtain a new examination to address the alternate theories of entitlement put forth by the Veteran and in-service treatment for lung problems.

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening and service connection due to new evidence received since the last denial. The low back condition claim is reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to concerns about the nature and severity of the Veteran's bronchial asthma, as well as his entitlement to a TDIU. Additional medical records are needed for an accurate assessment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his diagnosed respiratory conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The decision also reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, high cholesterol, hypertension, GERD, diabetes mellitus type II, rhinitis (claimed as allergies), and obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date of service connection remains March 18, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the periods of October 17, 2012 to May 7, 2013; August 1, 2013 to October 22, 2013; and February 1, 2014 to April 27, 2015. As a result, TDIU was granted for these periods.

The Veteran's dermatitis from December 18, 2010 to March 14, 2018 is rated at 30 percent. This rating applies until further notice.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran does not have a current disability related to such during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and respiratory disorder (asthma) are being remanded for additional development as the current evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether her in-service respiratory symptoms are related to her current asthma disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was not reopened as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's asthma is related to his military service, specifically environmental exposures and in-service hospitalization with mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy. The opinion should also address if the Veteran's asthma is proximately due to his service-connected sleep apnea with restrictive ventilatory defect and if it has caused any aggravation of his asthma.

Your claim for service connection for shortness of breath has been granted, and you are now receiving benefits for asthma and mild restrictive airway disease.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran does not have a current disability and that there is no evidence linking his asthma to service.