Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been granted. Service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis has not been established, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, concrete dust, silica fibers, and creosote vapors, as well as obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, including asthma with coughing or just coughing, and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the feet, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and a respiratory disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar muscle sprain and dismissed the issue of service connection for bronchial asthma. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if acid reflux was incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and granted service connection for asthma, attributing the latter to burn pit exposure during service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asthma or any other respiratory condition that can be linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including nosebleeds, neck disorder, allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral knee disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding no new and relevant evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma was denied. The current rating of 50 percent is deemed adequate as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6602 and 6847.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from June 30, 2014, to March 19, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include asthma and colon cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the cases of Valley Fever and Asthma are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and asthma. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded.,The Veteran was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II, but her obesity did not cause it. Her current diagnosis of asthma does not have an in-service onset or relationship to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on substitution of the Appellant as the claimant. The claims for asthma, pneumonia, kidney stones, and colon polyps have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to internal inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony regarding when her disabilities began.,The issue of service connection for a respiratory condition (asthma) remains pending as further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the respiratory condition. The claims for service connection, TDIU, and SMP are now pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma effective July 30, 1992 due to clear and unmistakable error in the May 1993 rating decision.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection as it worsened during service.,Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection based on the Veteran’s credible reports of symptoms in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected sinusitis, granting the claim for service connection.