Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD and addressing the respiratory disability claim. The TDIU issue remains on appeal but requires additional development as well.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, right and left foot pes planus, residuals of a left 4th toe fracture, and asthma are all granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to in-service symptoms and findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for an addendum opinion by a pulmonologist. The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including bronchial asthma/COPD, allergic rhinosinusitis, and bronchiectasis, are being evaluated further.

The Board has found that the VA examination in May 2019 is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded for a new examination. The issues of service connection for asthma, COPD, and left hip replacement are all related due to the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's asthma with emphysema and COPD was granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to his asthma, scheduling a new examination to determine the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea, clarifying whether he has required intermittent corticosteroid treatments for his asthma, and providing an addendum opinion on the current severity of his service-connected asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of asthma due to incomplete compliance with its previous directives and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, COPD, and bronchiolitis, is related to his military service exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability, such as obstructive airway disease and asthma. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are not yet decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain substantial compliance with a previous remand, specifically regarding an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's asthma is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran's exercise-induced asthma was first diagnosed after service and is not linked to any aspect of her military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be established because the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating on a schedular basis. The case was returned to the Board for adjudication of whether extraschedular consideration is warranted.,For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown by the competent medical evidence of record to result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's asthma with OSA is rated at 50 percent, and his depression is rated at 70 percent prior to June 22, 2012. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from July 27, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities require additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination reports and potential aggravation issues.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed. The appeal for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure and asthma, as well as sleep apnea with limb movements, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, GERD, esophagitis, and asthma due to ambiguity in diagnoses and need for clarification on etiology. The Veteran is requested to undergo further examinations by a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and possibly an otolaryngologist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for a VA examination by a pulmonologist. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service, but not to gunpowder residue.