Asthma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary nodules with asthma, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 16, 2019 is denied as he was still employed and able to perform his job duties. The issue of TDIU beginning January 16, 2019 is dismissed because the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% due to asthma with COPD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma with COPD is denied. The Board finds a remand necessary to address the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and MDD were denied. The Veteran was already rated at 30 percent for both conditions.,Asthma: The Veteran’s disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC remained below 70% predicted, and he did not require oral bronchodilators or systemic corticosteroids.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and denied service connection for a left knee disability. Service connection is granted for asthma as it was initially manifested during the Veteran's period of service, with continuity of symptoms since then. The denial of service connection for the left knee disability is based on the lack of current diagnosis or manifestation of such condition.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to July 1, 2020 and reduced to 10 percent effective July 1, 2020. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met in either period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The TDIU claim from December 17, 2010 has also been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's skin disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no credible evidence of a nexus between his current asthma and military service.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 10% prior to August 29, 2019 and at 30% thereafter. The Board has decided the case should be remanded for further evaluation of his current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 24, 2014, through July 19, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for cognitive impairment and memory loss, OSA, headaches, IBS, asthma, and dyshidrotic eczema as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeals related to cervical/thoracic spine disorder, hypertension, dizziness/vertigo, eustachian tube dysfunction, left knee disorder, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities associated with the lumbar spine disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a nerve injury in the right foot, and total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability prior to July 14, 2012 are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his asthma with bronchitis, left knee disability, COPD, and diverticulitis claims.,The Veteran’s kidney condition claim requires additional private treatment records from 'The Renal Associates' to be associated with the file.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, are related to service exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence, including an inadequate VA examination. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) with instructions to obtain additional treatment records and provide a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for COPD due to insufficient medical opinion regarding causation. The Veteran's smoking history and presumed exposure to Agent Orange are considered, but a supplemental opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated medical records, personnel records, and verification of in-service events.