Asthma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of low back disability, asthma, neck disability, eye disability (including amblyopia, blurred vision, and vision loss), diabetes, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, personality disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)), and left ankle disability have been remanded. The appeals for service connection on the issues of chest disability, residuals of a head injury, and sleep disorder were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection. The first issue is whether new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of a previously denied claim for chest cold/acute respiratory disease (claimed as pneumonia). The second issue is entitlement to service connection for bronchial asthma, which is secondary to chest cold/acute respiratory disease. The third issue is entitlement to service connection for left eye retinal detachment, which is secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myopia, left and right wrist disorders, left and right ankle disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcers, a right quadricep disorder, asthma, Lupus (Collagen Vascular Disease and Polyarthritis), osteoporosis with osteopenia, left hand and finger disorders, right hand and finger disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, anemia, and skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, granted service connection for asthma secondary to obstructive sleep apnea, and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to depression.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, asthma, and a sleep disorder. The claims of service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraines and asthma have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating than 30 percent for both conditions.,Service connection claims for low back and left knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the disabilities and military service or service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural plaque due to asbestos exposure. Service connection is remanded for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma related to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma may have pre-existed service and is requesting a new VA examination to determine if it was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be etiologically linked to his active duty service and granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for residuals of sinus surgery, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in the initial decision and need for further development.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, and her bronchial asthma is rated at 30 percent. The TDIU claim for prior to August 25, 2016 was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, characterized as asthma and left lower lung fibrosis with upper field thickening, requires additional development due to inadequate examination findings. The issues of increased rating for sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient information on his dates of service and lack of medical opinions addressing his in-service sinus complaints. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent, but none alone render him unemployable. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's psoriasis is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.