Asthma decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is related to his in-service condition and not due to any increase during service. The Veteran's self-reported history of childhood asthma was found credible, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that he had pre-existing asthma.

The Veteran's left knee and right knee disorders are granted service connection, while her sinusitis with headaches is denied.,Service connection for a hip disorder, peripheral vestibular condition, and GERD with dysphagia is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic tachycardia (cardiovascular condition), hypertension, and insomnia due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the April 2018 statement of the case. The initial rating for polycystic ovary disease remains denied, and the increased rating claim for asthma with inactive tuberculosis requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for unspecified psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, asthma (bronchial), and anxiety disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was restored to a 60% rating from July 1, 2014. The appeal for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the reduction of the evaluation has been granted. Service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including tinnitus, high cholesterol, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a facial scar. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to March 25, 2016 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a TDIU on a schedular basis and he could still secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia, Barrett’s esophagus, gastric ulcer, and gastritis is granted an initial 30 percent rating.,Service connection for migraines is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's migraines had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for calluses of the bilateral feet has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for asthma and COPD, prior to April 25, 2018, and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for asthma, hemorrhoids, sinus condition and sleep apnea secondary to deviated septum, thyroid tumor due to radiation exposure, headaches, left hip condition, and right hip condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence or examination to support a decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disability, compensable evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential herbicide exposure and private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for tension headaches, asthma, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for asthma and headaches is granted, while other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's lung disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea claims are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, hip, and leg disorders are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, finding that the Veteran did not have a current respiratory disability related to his service.