Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial migraine headaches claim was granted with a noncompensable rating from August 10, 2012, and increased to 30 percent from August 3, 2016, and to 50 percent on October 27, 2017. The asthma claim is being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's asthma claim was not granted due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his pre-service condition and its progression during service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was rated at 30% disabling from March 17, 1997. She filed a claim for an increased rating in January 2012 and the effective date of her 100% rating is granted as May 24, 2011.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016, and a new examination is needed to determine his current disability level.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether it is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, as well as a secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because he does not have a current disability as defined by VA. The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma disability had in-service onset or is otherwise related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and he is awarded a 10 percent rating for sinusitis. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma was granted a 60% rating from November 19, 2013 onwards. Prior to that date, the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether he more nearly approximated the criteria for a 60% rating.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at a 30 percent for the period prior to June 18, 2015. For the period starting June 18, 2015, the rating is denied as his FEV-1/FVC value did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of asthma, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis related to service exposure. Service connection was granted for valvular heart disease with a staged rating from January 16, 2017. Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for asthma is being remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and respiratory disorder due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Board has found service connection for short-term memory loss, but the claims for exercise-induced asthma, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as diarrhea and stomach problems), and gastroesophageal reflux disease are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, hypertension, and left knee disorder due to a potential issue with the service dates. The case will be reviewed again after verifying the period of service from March 15 to April 7, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, secondary to asthma. The issues of an initial compensable rating prior to June 13, 2017 for bilateral hearing loss; and to an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent from June 13, 2017 for bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an ulcer disability. The issues of service connection for the remaining conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, a back disability, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for bronchial asthma was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed because he withdrew his claim prior to the Board making a decision. The case of service connection for bronchial asthma is remanded due to lack of an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected asthma.