Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, are found to be so severe that they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and GERD secondary to his service-connected COPD are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been denied as there is no evidence showing the condition started during his service or is related to his service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and penile condition due to herbicide exposure have been remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD remains pending, with a need for new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD also has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is denied for residuals of strep throat.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disease, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, stomach pains, acid reflux due to asthma, esophagus damage (difficulty swallowing), hypertension, and heart condition have been denied as secondary to service-connected asthma. The RO found no evidence of these conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach pain has been denied because there was no diagnosed condition related to the claimed symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), nasal problems, sleep apnea, PTSD, and social anxiety as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and major depressive disorder, as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient consideration of evidence during the remand process.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite, low back disability, asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient examination reports and opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development including examinations and opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, skin rashes / lesions (most recently claimed as skin condition), asthma, and degenerative disc disease of the lower back. These issues are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as Vet Center treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory claim requires clarification of his diagnoses and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician. The right knee disability claims require another VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand all claims for further examination and etiology opinions due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, larynx condition, thyroid nodules, liver or spleen calcifications, and anxiety secondary to his respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic laryngitis, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient etiology opinions. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he currently has these conditions and their likely etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a sleep condition is denied as the evidence does not support a separate disability from his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma beyond 60% is also denied due to lack of medical evidence showing specific criteria warranting such a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, specifically the April 2018 pulmonary function test results. The Veteran and his representative will need to provide any necessary releases for these records.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to low back disability. The cases of residuals of peptic ulcer surgery, sleep apnea, and asthma are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and asthma, as well as his TDIU and SMC (s) prior to March 29, 2016, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient consideration of certain evidence. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining relevant medical records and considering all submitted statements.