Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or exposure to hazardous chemicals. Service connection was also denied for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, and therefore, remands are issued for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated during service, thus denying service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's asthma, eczema, migraine headaches and right shoulder tendonitis are remanded for further examination. The service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for asthma and remanded the issue of determining whether she is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right hip disability is denied. The claims for service connection for asthma and inflammation to the ball of the right foot are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically asthma and bilateral hilar adenopathy with pulmonary infiltrates compatible with sarcoidosis, stage II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, mild neurocognitive disorder, sleep apnea with asthma, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, neck injury, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, rendered him unemployable for the period from September 8, 2018 to November 25, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for asthma, as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The case is being returned due to insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation of asthma by service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically asthma and bronchitis, is rated at 30% from July 26, 2011 to March 2, 2017. From March 3, 2017 onwards, the rating has been increased to 100%. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disorders is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2017 VA examination, which did not address tumors and neoplasms affecting the Veteran's pulmonary system. The Veteran is required to provide a retrospective addendum opinion regarding his bronchial asthma with COPD prior to September 18, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, asthma, and sarcoidosis as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for it. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left ankle disability, asthma, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease with cardiomegaly, and if so, whether they contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to asthma. The Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to CARC paint in service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for insomnia is dismissed as the issue is moot since her sleep apnea already encompasses her insomnia. The Veteran's asthma and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes and/or rhinitis. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% disability evaluation from April 8, 2005, and TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's asthma, diagnosed in 2006 during service, is granted as service connected.