Asthma decisions — 2022

Service connection is granted for asthma, presumed due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, presumed due to active service.

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is related to service exposures during his time in Vietnam and on the submarine U.S.S. Segundo, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder other than pleural plaques, including COPD and asthma. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's COPD was aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery bypass graft and/or pleural plaques.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's asthma and service, specifically his in-service exposure to zinc chromate.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and COPD are all found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma. However, the Veteran's hypertension is not established by the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma, stroke and residuals, and sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed asthma and his military service, including exposure to jet fuel and fumes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions alone do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he is still employed full-time and his income exceeds the poverty threshold, with accommodations provided by his employer that do not constitute a protected work environment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. The issue of entitlement to service connection is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to asbestos and dusts.

The Veteran's left knee disability, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and hypertension have been rated appropriately. However, the issues of service connection for diabetes, hearing loss, and TDIU are not resolved due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell trait is denied as the condition is a congenital defect and not subject to VA compensation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because the Veteran does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for upper back disability, PFB, asthma, and bilateral eye disability are all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 11, 2017 is denied.

Service connection is granted for GERD, but service connection for Asthma is denied as it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left varicocele and radial collateral ligament strain (left thumb) have been granted a compensable rating, while service connection for asthma has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma. The case needs to be reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's asthma was initially rated at 10% prior to May 18, 2015 and increased to 30% thereafter. The rating of 30% is granted for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to January 8, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,From January 8, 2020, the Veteran's asthma warranted a 60 percent rating. However, the Board noted that the medical records did not support more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to environmental hazard exposure in Southwest Asia, including respiratory and heart disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal was improperly placed in the AMA system and should be re-docketed under the Legacy system. The AOJ must issue an SOC addressing all issues on appeal, and the Veteran is given the opportunity to perfect his appeal by filing a VA Form 9.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded his claim for service connection for asthma due to insufficient evidence in the current examination.