Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb condition, sleep apnea, and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma, sinusitis, and/or rhinitis).,There is no evidence of chronic conditions or presumptive exposure to environmental hazards during active duty that would support direct service connection.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for asthma is denied. The Board finds a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted from February 3, 2016 and the matter is remanded for further development regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the frequency of systemic corticosteroid use.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all pending claims and appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with an earlier remand, requiring further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's tinnitus is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (asthma, bronchitis, bronchospastic disease) is remanded due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression NOS, depressive disorder unspecified, anxiety NOS) is also remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to ensure a complete record for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA Vet Center records and updating his VA treatment records. The issues of rating PTSD with depressive disorder and opioid use disorder in early, full remission, rating TBI residuals, rating asthma, and entitlement to TDIU are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, any separate and additional respiratory illness as due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, and COPD. The remand is required due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asthma and a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and asthma as they are related to active duty service. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to determine if his conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that his bronchial asthma with obstructive pulmonary ventilation did not contribute to his cause of death. The VA treatment he received is not considered to be the proximate cause of his death.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The respiratory disability claims are denied as they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there is evidence of worsening since the last examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of his preexisting asthma and that any current respiratory condition did not originate during service.

The Board has determined that further clarification is required prior to a decision on the merits of the Veteran's claims due to internal inconsistencies in previous opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and left knee disability, as well as to review the conflicting evidence of record. The Veteran's service records show exposure to ionizing radiation but not specific hazardous gasses like Freon or secondhand smoke.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, respiratory disability (asthma), and bilateral leg disability. The Veteran is also not eligible for TDIU benefits as he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC are within normal ranges.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for asthma and remanded the claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are now pending before VA for further review.