Asthma decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU prior to June 4, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include bilateral pes planus, glaucoma, GERD, right ankle sprain, scar, cervical spine strain degenerative disc, bilateral shin splints, asthma, and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the claims file since the January 2020 SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for further information from the appellant. The claim is being reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence and outstanding VA treatment records. The Board requires new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board denied the claims to reopen for service connection of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The low back disability remains at 40 percent. GERD and asthma are both denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. Sinusitis, left ankle scar, and left heel scar remain at their current 10 percent ratings. Folliculitis barbae is granted a rating prior to April 24, 2018, but not from that date forward. Service connection for right shoulder disability, left foot tendonitis, left flatfoot condition, and right flatfoot condition are all remanded.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection, and his obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asthma is also granted. The Board remanded the issue of calcified bodies of both lungs for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma, chronic rhinitis, and pharyngitis, finding that there is no evidence in the STRs supporting these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's asthma does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran's current asthma and his military service, including exposure to jet fuel and other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right knee disability, and asthma due to inadequate or incomplete VA examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a disability manifested by blood in urine, to include a kidney disability; a right thigh disability; and a respiratory disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide new medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability and an asthma/respiratory disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD has also been granted.,The VA is remanding the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and a back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and his GERD is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory condition, including COPD and asthma, is denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to February 26, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss since February 26, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory condition (asthma) as due to asbestos exposure is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the period on appeal. The effective date for the 20% rating for the left eye disability is set at March 21, 2011, and the appeals for higher ratings remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, right hand cold injury residuals, and left hand cold injury residuals. The respiratory condition (including asthma) issue is remanded due to the need for further development.