Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability claimed as due to asbestos exposure, and a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's stroke condition is granted as it was caused by his in-service herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's asthma condition is granted as it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, breathing difficulties (to include asthma), dystonia, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted because there is no credible evidence that the Veteran sustained any in-service illness or injury related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability during the pendency of the claim and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is requested to review all pertinent records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the disorder manifested during or was caused by active service, including the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, as the cause of death (cardiac arrest, anemia/bleeding and coagulopathy) is attributed to gastrointestinal bleeding unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and panic disorder with agoraphobia features have been denied increased ratings.,Right knee DJD, right shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease require further review due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.,An increased rating for asthma is not granted as the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a 60% rating.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for a breathing disability, specifically asthma. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder to include asthma, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected peptic ulcer disease. His respiratory condition, claimed as asthma, remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory illness, including asthma, due to the need for an examination to determine if any condition diagnosed is related to in-service treatment and exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD should be remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further clarification on the nature and etiology of his pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has not been manifested by either FEV-1 of 40 to 55 percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; required at least monthly visits to a physician for care of exacerbations, or; required intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids at least three times per year. As such, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma, service connection for hearing loss, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for IBS are still pending. The RO is instructed to consider all evidence since the July 2017 SOC in its consideration of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for difficulty breathing, including asthma and bronchitis. The decision is based on the need to obtain additional medical records and an updated examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his service in September and October 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine which of his respiratory conditions (asthma or sleep apnea) is predominant and to assess the severity of both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and asthma have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 27, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.