Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service. The Board found that the current asthma did not have its onset in or is otherwise related to his military service, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents and/or pesticides.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic laryngitis, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete evaluations and failure to address secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, left lung scar, and lingular pneumonia have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for exercise induced asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her medication use and frequency of asthma attacks.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information from the Office of Surgeon General regarding asbestos exposure during service. The appellant needs a follow-up inquiry and medical opinion on whether preexisting asthma was aggravated by asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to February 19, 2020 and 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's bronchial asthma was initially rated at 10 percent effective August 1, 2011, and increased to 30 percent effective February 19, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a diabetic ulcer of the toe. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent from February 26, 2010 to October 28, 2017. From October 28, 2017, the rating increases to 100 percent due to daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications.

The Board has remanded the claims for revision of the September 2008 rating decision and entitlement to SMC based on housebound status due to procedural errors in notifying the Veteran of the July 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s joint pain, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, lipomas, Gulf War Illness, bronchial asthma, nasal polyps, digestive problems, hernia, and skin problems are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and unspecified depressive disorder, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically asthma, finding that the Veteran had symptoms and treatment related to allergies during service. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and bronchiectasis, as well as the aggravation by service-connected sleep apnea. The case will be reviewed with additional medical examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of asthma, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma was incurred in service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent from July 12, 2012 onwards and granted a 10 percent rating prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's asthma, BCC, and dermatitis/eczema claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA respiratory examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current respiratory disorder. The examiner is asked to identify all respiratory disorders present since May 2010, opine on whether any preexisted service, if so, whether it was aggravated by service, and whether it is directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and Asthma due to new evidence and arguments submitted by the Veteran's attorney, including concerns about asbestos exposure and potential service-related exposures such as diesel fumes, paint particles, and mold. The case is being returned for further development.