Asthma decisions — 2019

The Veteran's asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are being remanded for further action due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD, asthma, and emphysema, is related to exposures during his service in Kuwait. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's asthma. The issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic kidney disease with renal insufficiency (CKD), and asthma are being returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for asthma was reopened, but not granted as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for asthma was also granted secondary to service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea and PTSD). The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to his service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his hip condition, asthma, and lumbar stenosis.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and a psychiatric disability (including adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features and anxiety disorder) due to outstanding medical records. The VA will seek these records, including from private providers like Holy Cross Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 60 percent prior to September 21, 2016. The Board found insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (other than previously denied sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and tuberculosis) including COPD, asthma and chronic bronchitis due to lack of evidence showing an association between these conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, fungal infections of the feet, left shoulder DJD, and elevated PSA levels have been reopened. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DM, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder), sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to outstanding records from a Naval Hospital in San Diego, California.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lung disorder (asthma) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and military service. The case is remanded for further examination.