Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary condition, including asthma, was not incurred during his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and melanoma with scar, both of which are presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure. The VA examiners' opinions were deemed inadequate due to lack of a clear nexus between service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, and an addendum opinion is required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory problems including asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's asthma, hypertension, arthritis of the hands, and arthritis of the feet are remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.

An initial 70 percent rating, but no higher, for PTSD is granted. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for asthma is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist disability is denied.

The Board denied all the issues on appeal, including entitlement to increased ratings for asthma, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and a skin disorder. The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, sleep apnea at 50 percent, allergic rhinitis at 10 percent, and his skin disorder at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as the Veteran provided information about his ongoing treatment at Beckley VAMC and from Dr. Remines.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for asthma and remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and TDIU due to bronchial asthma with pulmonary emphysema. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent, while his bronchial asthma with pulmonary emphysema is rated at 100 percent.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and service connection for Asthma due to radiation exposure and/or Gulf War Environmental Hazards. The Veteran's symptoms were not nearly constant or severe enough to restrict routine daily activities almost completely, and the VA examiner found no causal relationship between his asthma and in-service exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine if her current back, vision, chest pain, allergies, breathing disorder, headaches, memory loss, and vertigo are related to service or any other conditions. The issues include a back disorder, vision disorders, chronic chest pain, allergies, asthma, headaches, memory loss, and vertigo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lakeland Regional Medical Center on April 20, 2018 due to lack of emergency condition and feasible availability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's asthma is denied as not being service-connected.,The Veteran's skin condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied sleep disorder claim has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, rating for asthma, cervical spine disability before March 13, 2017, rating for cervical spine disability since March 13, 2017, rating for GERD, and TDIU before March 1, 2017 are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory condition, including asthma, due to asbestos exposure is remanded. The hearing loss rating appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective January 26, 2015. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period and remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his asthma since January 26, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma due to new evidence received since the March 1999 denial. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his current disabilities to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if any current disabilities are related to service, including exposure to battery fumes during service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and asthma, finding no nexus to military service or environmental exposures.