Asthma decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and exposure history.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is related to his military service. The back disability claim was not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service records, which may be related to his current lung conditions. The VA examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, specifically requesting a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obesity and its relation to his service-connected disabilities, as well as whether his GERD is related to any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and asthma due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, including those from Social Security Administration (SSA). The VA must obtain these records and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma and COPD as they are related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case is sent back for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and the appeal for an increased rating remains pending. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his COPD claim, as well as to address his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, diminished vision, and heart condition due to incomplete development and insufficient medical opinions.