Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, concluding that there is no credible evidence of pre-existing asthma and that any current condition did not manifest during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability and an increased rating for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not show a chronic lung disability in service or within one year of discharge. The Veteran's current lung conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, benign chest tumor, pinched nerve of the left arm, left knee disability, and stress ulcer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after the August 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection and rated at a noncompensable level.,A scar on the right fourth finger, causing numbness and pain, is granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected and rated at 10 percent. The rating for follicular cervicitis with PID remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma and/or anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for respiratory, bronchial, migraine headaches, and throat disabilities due to secondary service-connected sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for allergic asthma and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a readjudication of the cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service, and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed respiratory condition (including COPD, asthma, and bronchitis) are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a respiratory condition and skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of a thorough opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma, specifically related to in-service asbestos exposure and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's asthma. The examiner is asked to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service, whether it was aggravated during service, and if it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchitis and asthma, has been rated at 60 percent since August 4, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 100 percent due to lack of specific findings such as FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted value or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, upper back disability, and lower back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will obtain additional evidence and provide a more complete examination.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its remand instructions and thus the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an ovarian cyst are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current asthma to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board considered the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions but concluded that the evidence did not support a nexus between his asthma and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology and nature of the Veteran's COPD and other respiratory disorders. The matter is being returned for further development and readjudication.