Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and PTSD), and CFS due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding asthma and migraines have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary/respiratory disability, including as due to asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with history of pneumonia has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma and right knee meniscal maceration medial and lateral with osteoarthritis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically regarding a VA respiratory examination and addressing the Veteran's exposure to tear gas during basic training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and major depressive disorder), and bronchial asthma. The evidence submitted was found to be new but not material.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and removal of growth from scrotum, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions, including asthma, stomach issues, bowel adhesions, ulcerative colitis, hernias, and eczema. The claims are being returned to VA for further examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and missing or unavailable service treatment records. The Veteran's STRs are largely illegible or missing, and VA has a heightened duty to assist in such cases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. The case is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, initial rating for asthma prior to July 31, 2014, and entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from July 31, 2014.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, is not service-connected.,None of the Veteran’s other disabilities are found to be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 60% prior to July 1, 2009. After that date, the rating was reduced to 30%. The Board found no CUE in the original decision and thus denied restoration of the 60% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, specifically his asthma and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted a 50 percent rating from October 18, 2012. The Veteran's asthma and COPD are remanded for clarification of the need for systemic corticosteroids.

The Veteran's asthma results in an FEV-1 of 68 percent predicted, which is within the range for a 30% disability rating. The Board denied his claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30%.

The Board has remanded the claims for bronchial asthma, full body rash, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a respiratory disability have been granted. The claim for residuals of bilateral foot frostbite injuries or cold exposure is still pending.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and mental manifestations of Parkinson's disease is also pending.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and her heart arrhythmia is granted as secondary to service-connected asthma.