Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for bronchial asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if his condition began during active duty or is related to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bronchiectasis (also claimed as bronchitis), and asthma have been remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claims are currently pending with the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and Asthma, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation. The pre-existing respiratory disabilities were determined to have been aggravated by civilian work in a forest, not military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension secondary to PTSD due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's asthma with obstructive sleep apnea was granted a 60 percent rating from October 10, 2013 to January 23, 2019.,After January 23, 2019, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his asthma and OSA was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including asthma, depression, sarcoidosis, hydrocephalus, and left wrist injury. The Veteran is also requested to appear for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a right knee disability, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and traumatic brain injury. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD. The examiner must consider all diagnoses since April 2013 and determine if they are related to service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for asthma, and service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's asthma rating was reduced from 30% to 10%, effective July 1, 2016. The Board has restored the 30% rating due to improper reduction.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to October 2, 2018, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma from October 2, 2018, and thereafter. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence linking his current asthma to his service. The examiner opined that the Veteran’s asthma was less likely than not related to his service.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis with asthma contributed substantially or materially to his death, and the Board finds this link sufficient to grant service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for asthma was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for narcolepsy and a total abdominal hysterectomy with scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals.,Her claim for headache disorder is granted, but she needs to provide additional evidence regarding her asthma, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, and right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea with exercise-induced asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and seborrheic dermatitis. The remand includes obtaining updated medical records, scheduling examinations for each condition, and determining appropriate ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's condition was an emergent medical emergency, and VA facilities were not feasibly available at the time of her treatment. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred by non-VA providers is granted.

The Veteran's application for service connection for bronchial asthma was received on December 13, 2005. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, as it relates to service connection for breathing difficulties, including asthma.