Asthma decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension, asthma, and GERD are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis have been granted. Service connection is granted for asthma and sinusitis due to presumptive exposure to particulate matter during active duty in the Southwest Asia theatre. Service connection for chronic bronchitis remains denied as it does not fall under the presumptive conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma and GERD service connection due to a lack of VA examination, and to consider if his current conditions are related to his military service. The Veteran is also asked to undergo an examination to assess the severity of his GERD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension, knee conditions, hearing loss, mental health disorders, COPD and/or asthma, and sleep apnea. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, verifying stressors, confirming exposure to asbestos, scheduling examinations for each condition, and determining the etiology of any diagnosed respiratory disorder and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran's lay contentions regarding the onset and continuity of his respiratory problems while deployed are not addressed by the current opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, service connection, and increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea with hyperinflated lungs asthma, PTSD, GERD, and right shoulder strain on November 20, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's reports on the onset of symptoms are deemed credible, and an addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, right knee degenerative arthritis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 2014. Effective from March 30, 2016 (the date of claim for the underlying grant of service connection for major depressive disorder), he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asthma, stomach condition, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and CAD have been granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection has also been granted for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction. The respiratory disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service, including herbicide exposure. His asthma is also not service-connected as there was no showing that it worsened during service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Veteran's heart disability, chest pain(s), and asthma are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression, mental stress, worry, and/or mental health) is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, kidney disability, tinnitus, hypertension, diverticulitis, bronchitis, asthma, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and Alzheimer's disease are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including muscle and joint pain, essential tremor, right knee disability, asthma, low back disability, and left ear hearing loss are all granted. However, the effective dates for some of these grants have not been determined yet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary disorder (to include asthma), and sleep apnea due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss have been denied.,The Veteran's asthma has not yet been evaluated for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease are granted service connection. The cardiovascular disability to include ischemic heart disease, and the pulmonary disability (asthma) are remanded for further evaluation.