Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's COPD with asthma, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are more likely related to post-service factors such as smoking and substance abuse.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and hypertension was granted. The RO denied the reopened claim for hearing loss, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, OSA, and hypertension on the merits.,The Board remanded the reopened issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition.

The Board has restored a 100% rating for bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence did not show sustained improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that the Veteran does not have left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, exercise-induced asthma, and back disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a skin disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and asthma, but denied service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed related to noise exposure in service. His asthma existed prior to service and was aggravated by service. However, the Board found no evidence of a TBI during service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and asthma/COPD as the evidence did not show chronic symptoms in service or continuity of symptomatology since separation. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma and sleep apnea due to insufficient findings regarding their etiology and pathophysiology. The Veteran's VA medical examinations from before Stewart v. Wilkie were not sufficient, and new opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the claim due to incomplete development regarding possible exposure to radiation and other chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is being reviewed for a potential connection with her military service.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service or claimed exposures. The reduction in evaluation for degenerative joint disease, right knee, from 40 percent to 10 percent was upheld.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to September 4, 2014 and granted a 60 percent rating from September 4, 2014 to December 3, 2014. A 100 percent rating was granted for the period from December 4, 2014 to August 3, 2016.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at a 30 percent since September 4, 2014 and requires further evaluation due to fluctuating PFT readings.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD, along with his skin condition affecting his feet, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes has been dismissed. The claim for a higher rating for asthma was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary embolism with asthma, specifically whether it causes upper or lower extremity impairment. The Veteran will need to provide records from his June 2019 hospitalization and undergo a VA examination to determine this.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and asthma due to insufficient evidence or further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding direct, secondary, and aggravation service connection. The case is returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease or injury during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is currently rated at the highest available rating of 50 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for asthma has been granted. The Veteran uses daily inhalation bronchodilator therapy.