Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was granted with an effective date of December 6, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's OSA or any sleep disorder is being evaluated, along with whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed asthma condition, including whether it is related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected reactive airway disease, history of asthma, was denied prior to March 10, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's asthma is not related to service, and a new VA examination is needed to clarify the medical history and etiology of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support the presumption of soundness regarding asthma. The Board also found that there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the severity of his disability not meeting the criteria for a 30% rating, and the Board denies an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted, with the condition being diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease. The other claims were either denied or dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient reasons provided by the VA examiner regarding its onset in or relation to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, as secondary to PTSD, was granted. The claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected adjustment disorder is denied. The claim of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to a service-connected disability, was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for asthma with emphysema and recurrent pneumonia prior to July 3, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran's asthma/pulmonary condition was denied on the merits in March 2009. The RO did not consider new and material evidence, which is now required due to additional service treatment records indicating no pre-existing asthma. The Board has remanded for a de novo review of the claim involving asthma. Left knee and right ankle disabilities are also being remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, skin condition, unspecified respiratory condition now claimed as chronic airway obstruction, and asthma all secondary to PTSD due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The right hip, low back, sinus disorder (including allergies/rhinitis), and asthma conditions are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left patellar fracture was rated at 10%, bipolar disorder prior to March 20, 2019 was rated at 50%, PTSD beginning March 20, 2019 was rated at 70%, and bronchial asthma was not rated as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and National Guard service. The Veteran is also advised that he must provide authorization for VA to obtain any private medical records relevant to his claims.

The Veteran's lung condition, including a pulmonary nodule, COPD, and asthma, is being remanded for further development. The appellant will be provided with the VA examiner's curriculum vitae to assist in representing their claims.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for further development and evaluation due to the need for additional medical records and a VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining a copy of the December 10, 2012 VA pulmonary function test report.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's asthma/pneumonia claim due to uncertainty about whether his preexisting condition was aggravated by service. A new VA opinion is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, asthma, and headaches due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled examinations.