Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include the residuals of a collapsed lung. The Veteran was not found to have any current respiratory disability that is related to her active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for blood clots. There is no evidence in the record showing that she has had a blood clot-related disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are considered credible but not competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's asthma, asbestosis, COPD, and sleep apnea are service-connected due to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current asthma and any in-service exposure or events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, benign prostatic hypertrophy, poor circulation, numbness of the left leg, numbness of the right leg, erectile dysfunction, asthma, coronary artery disease and chronic congestive heart failure, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and urinary incontinence due to a lack of an adequate VA examination for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, her DDD lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating, and her asthma is granted an initial 60 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to asthma due to incomplete examination and treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is granted with a 20 percent rating, and the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus is denied. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease with essential hypertension and bronchial asthma, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's increased ratings for asthma and allergic rhinitis are denied, but his TDIU is granted with an effective date of May 8, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for arthritis, asthma, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have also been granted. The claims for hearing loss and bilateral hands/low back arthritis are still pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, intercostal neuralgia (chest pain), asthma, and ulnar nerve paralysis of the left upper extremity are all found to be related to his service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Reasoning behind this decision includes medical opinions supporting a link between each condition and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's asthma may be related to service, but needs further examination and evidence to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar strain and asthma due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but further evidence is needed to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection as it began during active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lung disability, including asthma, COPD, and overlap syndrome, is remanded for further development due to the need for a medical opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has been granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet and left heel spur are service-connected, as is fibromatosis of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The claim for asthma secondary to allergic rhinitis is also granted.

The Veteran's asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and posttraumatic headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted an initial rating of 10 percent for his posttraumatic headaches. However, the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not rated higher than 10 percent.