Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for headaches, respiratory/lung/breathing disability (to include COPD and/or bronchial asthma), sleep apnea, diarrhea, right ear disability, left ear disability, back disability, joint pain, and muscle pain are granted as new and material evidence has been received. However, the underlying claims of service connection for these conditions remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and lung disorder (to include bronchitis and asthma) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right thumb injury, asthma, sleep apnea, and hypertension claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for joint pains with fevers, right ankle disability, hearing loss, asthma, liver disorder, gallstones, and hypothyroidism. The issue of severance of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and anemia due to new evidence received since the final September 2010 rating decision. The issues have not been resolved yet.

The Board has granted service connection for exercise-induced asthma, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, asthma, and migraine headaches have been dismissed. The Veteran was granted a 30% disability rating for his service-connected TBI from October 1, 2015 to June 24, 2016, during which time he was found unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, asthma, and chronic diarrhea due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's skin disability is rated at 60 percent since November 8, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of asthma and COPD due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD and asthma are related to his service, specifically exposure to burn pits in Iraq. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements about the onset of his symptoms during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and sarcoidosis of the lungs and heart due to herbicide exposure, as no VA opinion was provided on whether these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed to have exposed him to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and medical opinions regarding service connection for asthma. The skin disability claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, prostatic hyperplasia, skin rashes, and head acne should be remanded due to a need for additional development and medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for residuals of heat exposure and asthma due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing supplemental opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted. The rating for asthma was denied prior to November 26, 2012 and granted from that date onwards. Other claims are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between her current diagnosis and her military service.

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are all found to be due to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Board's August 21, 2018 decision is vacated and a new decision will be entered as if that decision had never been made. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for asthma with nocturnal hypoxemia remains remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, left ankle disability, and left tarsal tunnel syndrome, have a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of these service-connected disabilities.