Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed. The claim of a disability rating greater than 70 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood was denied, but the Veteran received TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was rated at 60 percent disabling from March 12, 2014 to December 28, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating for this period as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6602.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and asthma due to inadequate opinions regarding direct service connection, as well as potential secondary service connection theories.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, right knee disability, and service-connected disabilities. The issues include entitlement to service connection for these conditions and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Board directed the AOJ to arrange for new VA examinations for the respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, and right knee disability. Additionally, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and vaginal prolapse and rectocele.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma, finding that his current diagnosis is related to his military service. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and clarifying the diagnosis of respiratory disabilities. The issues on appeal are service connection for a respiratory disability, to include COPD, lung disease, asthma, and shortness of breath, and secondary service connection for PTSD with secondary MDD or as being associated with exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a deviated nasal septum is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for respiratory disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome due to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now granted. The Board found that the new evidence submitted since previous denials supports a finding that these conditions may be related to service or pre-existing psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia and remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral artery disease, bronchial asthma, and heart condition as well as his TDIU claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. A new VA examination is also required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition and its relation to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide a new examination.

The Veteran's headaches, residual of a TBI, are rated at 30 percent disabling. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating for his service-connected headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hand disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea. The claim for COPD is remanded due to potential TCE exposure. The claims for right foot disability and left foot disability are also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they were not found related to his service or any other compensable basis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, bronchial asthma, bilateral hip disability, tonsillectomy and residuals of fractured middle finger. The Veteran was last provided VA examinations relating to these issues in April 2016, nearly five years ago. As a result, the Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for CABG residuals and an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis, as well as the issue of TDIU. The reasons include the need to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disease and December 2005 coronary artery bypass surgery.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, is not service connected. Service connection for OSA was denied. An effective date of October 17, 2007, but no earlier, has been granted for the award of service connection for essential tremor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, headaches, a left ankle condition, and an unspecified respiratory condition are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for the left ankle condition, unspecified respiratory condition (due to burn pit exposure or other environmental exposures), and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma and sleep apnea were rated at 30%, 50%, and 60% respectively, with the highest rating of 60% granted for his conditions from December 9, 2019.