Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical strain disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the extent and severity of her service-connected condition, including any additional diagnoses. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether these additional diagnoses are related to the service-connected cervical strain.,A new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran’s RUE disabilities (other than cervical radiculopathy) are secondary to her service-connected right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities or if they have a separate etiology. The examiner must differentiate between symptoms attributable to the service-connected condition and those attributable to nonservice-connected conditions.,The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine whether it was caused by environmental exposures during Desert Storm/Shield, aggravated by her service-connected allergic rhinitis, or has a separate etiology. The examiner must provide an opinion on the relationship between these factors.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for COPD, asthma, a disability manifested by high cholesterol, hypertension, and a back disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, bronchial asthma, eczematous dermatitis, chronic sinusitis, cephalgia, and sleep apnea due to unresolved medical evidence.,No specific rating was assigned as all issues are currently being reviewed.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation of his OSA/asthma, left knee disabilities (flexion), instability, and limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure and treatment during service, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability, a respiratory condition including asthma and sleep apnea, and a back condition. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma with a history of multiple spontaneous pneumothorax was rated at 30 percent prior to August 3, 2013 and from December 1, 2013 to September 13, 2016.,From September 13, 2016, the Veteran's asthma with a history of multiple spontaneous pneumothorax was rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar with chronic lumbar strain are denied.,Service connection secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including asthma, ankle disability, depression, foot condition, low back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, sinusitis, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his respiratory and leg disabilities. The VA will need to provide new opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma with rhinitis, finding that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating for asbestos-related lung disease, including emphysema and asthma, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, to include asthma and COPD. However, the heart disability claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his bronchial asthma with obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, and service connection for high blood pressure, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder cannot be established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and because of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his asthma symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma. The Veteran's current asthma disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, verifying potential exposures in service, and providing an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bronchial asthma and an unspecified anxiety disorder) have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his asthma with reactive airway disease remains in appellate status due to the remand by the Court. The Board is required to schedule a VA respiratory examination and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's asthma claim was denied for an increased rating, and the left wrist and hand disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran’s asthma required daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.