Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 8, 2018. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for asthma is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is incomplete and requires further clarification to determine if the Veteran's preexisting asthmatic bronchitis worsened as a result of physical training during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, avascular necrosis of the right hip, avascular necrosis of the left hip, cellulitis, bilateral feet, bilateral pes planus (also claimed as tendonitis), radiculopathy, and right shoulder torn muscle. The Board has also remanded these reopened claims to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether medications used to treat the Veteran's service-connected asthma have aggravated her hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities because the evidence did not establish that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him helpless enough to need regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives for a VA respiratory examination, including pulmonary function tests and exercise capacity testing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma is related to his service, specifically the asbestos exposure he experienced while aboard the USS Tripoli. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue as secondary to her service-connected asthma, finding that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the fatigue is proximately due to or caused by her asthma.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability during or related to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disabilities are due to in-service events.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma/emphysema, and allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service in 1990-1991. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and right and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, emphysema, COPD, and sleep apnea due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or etiology of these conditions related to service.,There was no established diagnosis of emphysema in the medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD due to insufficient reasoning in the previous opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, including psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's disability was not incurred in or related to his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and asthma, concluding that there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for sleep apnea was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's obsessive compulsive disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective April 10, 2008. The earlier effective date for the bronchial asthma rating remains October 6, 1998.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new one needs to be conducted to determine if sleep apnea is related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory conditions, status post-lobectomy residuals, sinus condition, corneal ulcers, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and testosterone deficiency due to their potential secondary nature to his respiratory condition. The appeals are pending further VA examination and/or medical opinion.