Asthma decisions — 2019

Your claims for service connection have been dismissed as you did not file an adequate substantive appeal.,The Board has determined that your appeals were not properly filed, and thus lacks jurisdiction to consider the issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected exercised induced asthma is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and reevaluation.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has resulted in pulmonary function test (PFT) results no worse than post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) of 92 percent of predicted value, forced vital capacity (FVC) of 101 percent predicted, and pre-bronchodilator FEV-1/FVC of 91 percent of predicted value. The Veteran requires daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy but does not require systemic corticosteroids or monthly physician visits for exacerbations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, particularly regarding whether a CPAP machine would be beneficial for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including a VA respiratory/lung disease examination, a VA skin diseases examination, and a VA sinusitis/rhinitis examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, hypertensive heart disease, was found to be aggravated by his service-connected adjustment disorder. The Board granted the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's symptoms, as well as for additional medical examinations to evaluate his respiratory disability. The claims for service connection are not granted due to lack of a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to non-compliance with previous instructions.

The Board has denied service connection for diverticulitis, asthma, and a skin disorder. The issues of service connection for hypertension and renal disease are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease aggravates his COPD and respiratory disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the hands, right foot gouty arthritis, arthritis of the neck, sinus disability, respiratory disability (asthma and/or shortness of breath), acid reflux, and facial scar. The Board found that none of these claims were supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's asthma and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia) are granted service connection. The Veteran previously denied service connection for these conditions but new evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma and COPD. The evidence supports that these conditions are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has vacated the previous decision due to incomplete evidence and remanded the case for further review, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a right eye disorder was denied. The claim for service connection for asthma was reopened and granted. The case is remanded for further action regarding sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis (claimed as severe allergies), and major depressive disorder. The issues of increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee meniscal tear are remanded. A TDIU claim is also before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that his pre-existing asthma did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by any in-service event.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, CHF, emphysema, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and mood disorder (also claimed as borderline intellectual functioning) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease was granted, with the effective date being prior to May 2, 2017. The claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, left thumb disability, fracture of the ring and little finger of the right hand, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and generalized anxiety disorder were all granted.