Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis with asthma is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his use of a specific medication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral lower extremity restless leg syndrome, and asthma due to issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's asthma was aggravated by exposure to chemicals and/or the gas chamber during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability, including sleep apnea and sinusitis. The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is also considered in determining whether his current respiratory conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for increased disability rating for left knee, bilateral hip condition and neurocognitive disorder are remanded due to new evidence added to the record. Service connection for diastolic heart failure, hypertension, asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, as well as bilateral hearing loss and seizure disorder are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, bilateral knee strains, respiratory disorder (including rhinitis and asthma), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by probative medical evidence showing the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition at induction.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma as secondary to service-connected sinusitis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's asthma is found to be aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, while there is no evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss to service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and asthma, but has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for left ear hearing loss, headaches secondary to PTSD, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, and a deviated septum. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection is also granted for a left shoulder disability and asthma. Other issues remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability (to include asthma) and sleep apnea, and denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the right wrist disability.,Further development is needed to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory and sleep disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and sleep apnea were evaluated, with the Board finding no evidence supporting higher ratings for these conditions. The case was remanded to further develop the record.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was granted a 60 percent evaluation on and after July 17, 2015. The case is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right thumb arthritis and right wrist disability, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 6, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disability and remanded the issue of service connection for asthma.

The Board has remanded the claim for asthma service connection due to a lack of notification and scheduling of a VA examination. The Veteran is required to be provided an additional opportunity to undergo a VA examination in order to determine if his respiratory disorder, including asthma, is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of asthma due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining missing Social Security Administration Records and scheduling a VA examination by a Pulmonologist.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, asthma, joint swelling and stiffness, and a skin condition. However, these claims are denied on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for obesity, colitis, asthma, and a sleeping disorder other than sleep apnea were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2019 VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically asthma. The examiner did not consider the Veteran's credible assertions about his exposure to jet fuel and asbestos on the flight line during service.