Asthma decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further evaluation regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting asthma was aggravated by active duty service, specifically exposures to exercise and environmental sensitizers. The claim will be reopened on this basis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, finding that the Veteran's current mild TMJ is related to his reported injury while in service. However, the Board denied service connection for asthma, concluding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis or relationship between the Veteran's symptoms during service and his current condition.

The Veteran's somatic disorder, allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, asthma (with OSA), GERD, and right wrist disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a noncompensable evaluation for his allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, 10 percent evaluation for his asthma (prior to October 5, 2017) and 50 percent evaluation for his OSA with asthma from October 5, 2017. A 10 percent evaluation has been granted for his GERD, while a 10 percent evaluation is denied for his right wrist disability.

The Veteran withdrew all pending issues, including service connection for asthma, hypertension, and the effective date of depression.

The Veteran's right hand arthritis and left elbow epicondylitis are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.,The Veteran's asthma is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to in-service events.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, eye disorder (presumably vision impairment), ear disorder (hearing loss and possibly other auditory issues), respiratory disorder, and digestive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for face numbness and tingling, asthma, reduced pulmonary function, and Morton's neuroma of the left foot due to additional evidence being added to the file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to chemicals during active duty, including herbicides. The appeals are pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory, low back, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and asthma have been rated based on their current symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for either condition as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there was no in-service exposure to mustard gas and insufficient evidence linking his current asthma to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, asbestosis, and respiratory disorder (asthma with possible chronic bronchitis) are remanded due to the need for clarification of certain medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities, including asthma, sinusitis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis is granted. The Board finds that a remand is required due to the lack of VA examination and opinion addressing whether the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new VA examination for the respiratory disability.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and thyroid disability, finding that the conditions are not related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs further development of the Veteran's asthma etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his in-service exposure to cadmium.