Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional development and adjudication are necessary before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded to allow for an addendum opinion addressing whether his OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma and/or anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment and personnel records, including Reserve service records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and addressing secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings in a previous VA examination, and further evaluation is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and PFT testing. The issue of whether separate ratings should be assigned for sleep apnea and asthma remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding a respiratory condition. The Veteran needs another VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of a left radius fracture was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for left wrist DJD was also denied, with no higher rating supported by the medical evidence.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the November 2013 denial is relevant to the issues of service connection for asthma, PTSD, and a back condition. The Veteran's asthma, PTSD, and back condition are all related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and tobacco use disorder, including as secondary to PTSD. The decision also dismissed the request for CUE in the February 2018 decision denying service connection for asthma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma and COPD, as due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lung disorder, including asthmatic bronchitis, restrictive airway disease, right upper lobe nodule, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease secondary to tobacco use and non-small-cell carcinoma of the right upper lobe, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence linking her current diagnosis to her active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and gastrointestinal disorder (to include ulcerative colitis), finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified respiratory problems, finding that the evidence does not show a current disability existed during or within one year after service and is less likely caused by military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for tinnitus was denied, and a rating of 10% is the maximum available. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus is November 23, 2016.,An earlier effective date prior to November 23, 2016, for the 30% rating for diverticulitis is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year of the claim. The Veteran's initial claim for bronchial asthma was granted with a noncompensable rating effective October 20, 1990.,An earlier effective date prior to November 23, 2016, for the 10% rating for bronchial asthma is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year of the claim. The Veteran's initial claim for bronchial asthma was granted with a noncompensable rating effective October 20, 1990.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, left hip gout, right ankle gout, left elbow gout, left ankle gout, left toe/foot gout, left knee gout, and right knee gout has been granted. The rating for meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh is restored to 10%. Service connection for asthma and Meniere’s disease remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for asthma and a 10 percent rating for asthma from April 25, 2019. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for asbestosis and asthma are denied, but the claim of reopening the asthma claim is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30% prior to October 17, 2011 and increased to 50% from that date. The Veteran is now receiving a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,Prior to September 13, 2013, the Veteran's asthma was rated at 30%, while sleep apnea with asthma was rated at 50%. From September 13, 2013 onwards, he is receiving a TDIU.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of June 15, 2010. This decision was inferred from the evidence showing that the Veteran met criteria for SMC at this time.