Asthma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's asthma is not service-connected. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from November 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, headaches, and asthma. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability.,For PTSD, the Veteran's initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 17, 2014, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates due to outstanding private treatment records and violations of VA examination guidelines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no causal relationship between her current asthma and her in-service respiratory issues.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroenteritis has been denied as he does not have a current disability.,For the period prior to June 19, 2019, his PTSD was rated at 30 percent and since then at 70 percent. The Board found that these ratings were appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, but has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to a lack of medical opinion regarding its relationship to asthma.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as shortness of breath (asthma), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lung nodules, asthma, COPD, and recurrent bronchitis have been rated based on their severity. The Board denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder, and other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for cough-variant asthma, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service diagnosis and resolving doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information from a previous VA examination and for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's asthma, characterized by daily use of inhalational bronchodilator therapy and anti-inflammatory medication, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, and residuals of stroke. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue is remanded for further action, including verification of periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite Non-Active Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's disability rating for a respiratory condition is restored to 60 percent effective May 1, 2016. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection of the respiratory and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and COPD due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other environmental conditions. The case is returned for a new VA medical opinion using the 'clear and unmistakable evidence' standard.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his respiratory disabilities prior to May 7, 2015 is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. From May 7, 2015, the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and residuals of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax is also denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's asthma disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his bilateral elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities, additional evidence is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's restrictive lung disease, due to chronic fibrosis from her resolved coccidioidomycosis pneumonia in 1978, is rated at a 30 percent rating.