Asthma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed as the RO issued a Statement of the Case continuing the current evaluations and denying the claims.,The Veteran did not file a substantive appeal, thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression) due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to assess these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's use of corticosteroids during the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot gout and pulmonary disability (claimed as asthma) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or Gulf War exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess her left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The issues of higher ratings for bronchial asthma, chronic lumbosacral paraspinal spasms, instability of the left knee, and left knee meniscal tear are all remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition and granted service connection for asthma, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's claims. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq.

The Veteran's asthma, rhinitis, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The initial compensable disability ratings for IBS and left knee patella chondritis were denied. The appeal on lumbar degenerative disc disease, dermatitis, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, GERD, gall bladder disease, post cholecystectomy, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent prior to December 21, 2010 and in excess of 60 percent from that date. The Board finds remand necessary due to inadequate examination regarding the use of immunosuppressants.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and exercise-induced conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for updated records and an in-person VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, asthma, right and left foot plantar fasciitis, neck condition, and back condition have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that his asthma alone was sufficient to produce unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides and/or other contaminants at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s exposure and schedule him for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to these exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing that his preexisting asthma was not aggravated by military service.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new claims, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied increased ratings for neck pain, low back pain, left knee pain, bilateral hallux valgus associated with gout, and exercise-induced asthma prior to July 15, 2014. The Veteran's gout was rated at a single 60% effective from July 15, 2014.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, lumbar-sacral strain, and right knee patella-femoral syndrome issues are remanded for further examination and rating determinations. The major depressive disorder issue has been fully resolved with a grant of higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and issues related to service connection, rating decisions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left thigh pain was denied, and the appeal is now considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (IBS) and others not (left thigh pain).,Service connection has been granted for IBS. The Veteran's asthma claim remains pending due to a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend new VA examinations.