Asthma decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension and respiratory disorders (COPD and bronchial asthma) are remanded for further examination as the Board finds a duty to assist error in not obtaining VA examinations regarding these conditions. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, but the availability of presumptive service connection does not preclude direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, and asthma have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Your service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma have been granted, but the Board is dismissing your appeal as there are no longer any issues to decide.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding service connection for hip disability and heart disability, as VA medical opinions did not address these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Castleman's disease and POEMS syndrome with polyneuropathy in multiple extremities, as well as asthma. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking it to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including asthma, multiple myeloma, type II diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension have all been denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other environmental hazards during service. The Board also found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bilateral leg condition, and bilateral ankle condition due to new evidence submitted. However, the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was not reopened as there was no new and material evidence provided.

The Veteran's tinnitus, deviated septum, sleep apnea, hypertension, GERD, sinusitis, and asthma have been granted service connection.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for forehead scar is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition including COPD, bronchitis and asthma due to exposure to asbestos in service. The Board found that there was no confirmed exposure to asbestos and concluded that the diagnosed respiratory conditions were more consistent with his extensive smoking history than asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to asbestos/tear gas. The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that the current respiratory condition did not begin during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, lipoma, multiple myeloma, melanoma, lung condition (asthma and bronchitis), lower back pain, and bilateral leg tingling are not supported by evidence of a current disability related to service. As such, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for gout, right knee disability, asthma, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in August 2021 is inadequate for adjudicative purposes and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's breathing disorder, including COPD and asthma, are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions as it lacks jurisdiction due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The claims for asthma, back condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated during service, as there is no evidence of such conditions in the service records. The Veteran's severe cramps in the hands and legs, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), and sleep disorder are also not linked to his military service.,Service connection for a TDIU was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety now claimed as chronic schizophrenia/depression, asthma now claimed as chronic pulmonary syndrome, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Your appeal for service connection for asthma has been dismissed because your claim was resolved in favor of you when the VA granted it in an October 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure and maintain employment consistent with his occupational history, leading to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current lung disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are related to his military service.