Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on the basis of PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a pulmonary lung disorder, bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, and thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has these conditions as part of his already service-connected generalized arthritic process.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30% for the entire appellate period. For the period from October 29, 2011 to March 19, 2015, a 60% rating is granted due to his symptoms including daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy and at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations.

The appeals for increased evaluation and TDIU effective date are dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and thus, another remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of claimed hearing loss, asthma, and pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of asthma before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for asthma, left knee condition, hemorrhoids, and PTSD due to lack of current diagnoses and failure to meet all criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to reopen for respiratory condition has been granted. The claims for weight loss, allergic rhinitis, neck disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and alcohol abuse have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining missing documents from the Veteran's representative and providing her with another opportunity to submit evidence.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has been granted a 60% rating, effective as of the date of this decision. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his bronchial asthma is remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asbestosis, COPD, and asthma. The case is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his current respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD is rated at a 60 percent effective September 18, 2017. The rating for prior periods remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, asthma (including as secondary to asbestos exposure), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard the U.S.S. Piedmont.

The Board has remanded the cases of asthma and sinusitis for further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma, which existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. Service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted as to cervical spine arthritis, left knee arthritis (left), right hand arthritis, right foot arthritis, COPD, and asthma.

The Board has determined that the June 2013 VA examination was inadequate and requires a retrospective medical opinion to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lung cancer residuals prior to August 27, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for left trigger finger and COPD, asthma, and bronchitis. The claim for service connection of the left upper arm and shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected asthma is denied as a matter of law. The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to presumed exposure to an herbicide agent. Service connection for Parkinson's disease and a respiratory disability are denied. The cause of the Veteran’s death, congestive heart failure, is found to be related to his service-connected CAD.