Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for asthma, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, needs further clarification and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 6, 2010 to August 20, 2012. For the period prior to January 22, 2018, his PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development as a result of an August 2019 Joint Motion for Partial Remand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and a respiratory disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure. A new VA examination is required to address the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new examination to obtain the required DLC test results.,Service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and GERD are all being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the issue of service connection for asthma is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of service connection for asthma remains on appeal.

The Veteran's respiratory or lung conditions, including chronic sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, are remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his service in Iraq where he was exposed to burn pits.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on the basis of aggravation, but asthma remains unresolved. The Veteran's pre-existing asthma is now considered to be aggravated by his service-connected COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disability and its relationship to his service-connected condition. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The matter is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, nasal polyps, rhinitis, and sinusitis as there is no evidence of an in-service presentation or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is required to obtain medical records from Kaiser Permanente and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his respiratory disability, sleep apnea, or back disability are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asthma and granted it. The decision is based on new evidence provided by a private physician linking the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea to his service-connected asthma.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary disability (including asthma and/or COPD), bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a seizure disability, back disability, and asthma. The evidence now shows that these conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the respiratory disorder, specifically asthma. The Veteran's testimony and VA treatment records indicate a history of asthma dating back to 2006, but the examiner did not address these points in their initial opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to asbestos and herbicides (Agent Orange), is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a respiratory cancer associated with Agent Orange exposure and did not find direct evidence linking his current respiratory disorders to his presumed exposure.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, bilateral ankle sprain, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, restless leg syndrome, and sinus bradycardia as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hip strain, initial rating for lumbar spine sprain, initial rating for left leg shin splints, initial rating for right leg shin splints, and initial rating for left knee sprain.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.