Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current gastrointestinal disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The cases of gastroesophageal disability (GERD), lower respiratory disability (COPD and asthma), carpal tunnel syndrome, sinus disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, sinusitis, and asthma due to service connection issues. Additional medical records are needed from specific providers, and further opinions are required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as bronchitis or asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board found no causal relationship between the current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating. The Board has found an increased evaluation for the Veteran’s asthma with bronchitis is not warranted. The left knee, diverticulitis, and chronic kidney disease claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, emphysema and asthma due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no in-service asbestos exposure or other link between the Veteran's current lung conditions and his time in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and records. The Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically asthma, is being reviewed again to determine its nature and etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder other than asthma, finding that there is no confirmed diagnosis of such condition and that any existing conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's asthma and depressive disorder claims are being remanded for further review. Her TDIU claim is also being deferred due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, residuals of a left eye injury, cervical spine disorder, asthma, and left wrist and hand fracture. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service treatment records do not show any documented injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions during his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchitis and post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis, has been rated at 30 percent since September 18, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it is not secondary to her service-connected asthma and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability prior to June 14, 2011 and from June 14, 2011 to April 15, 2018. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability beginning April 15, 2018 is also remanded. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's respiratory disability originated in service due to exposure to chlorine gas from an IED explosion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his obesity is aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that his current condition is related to his military service and not due to pre-existing conditions or natural progression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma and interstitial lung disease, were aggravated by service or caused by exposure to asbestos and chipped red paint. The VA is directed to obtain service personnel records and any relevant private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that there was not enough evidence to show it was incurred in or caused by his military service.