Asthma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was rated at 60 percent prior to December 10, 2019. The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has now increased the rating to 100 percent effective December 10, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD, left knee degenerative arthritis, and asthma for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his active military service.

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

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and a higher rating for asthma and COPD was denied. Service connection for sinusitis is also denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, is granted service connection due to exposure to environmental hazards (burn pits). The issues of service connection for headaches, bilateral foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and hypogonadism are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, right hand strain, left hand strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The issue of service connection for asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. The claims for service connection for gum, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have been present since separation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's asthma, right lower leg condition, bilateral hip condition, right thigh condition, and right knee condition should be remanded for further action due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD is rated at 100% from April 10, 2013 to present. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (asthma, sinusitis, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and restrictive airway disease. The decision finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current respiratory disability was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer and asthma were denied service connection as they are not related to his active duty service. The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the disabilities and any exposure or conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the medical opinions provided, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his respiratory disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. The claims will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for PTSD, asthma, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and musculoskeletal disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits, with a focus on whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board has now granted the claim, finding that asthma had its onset during active service.