Asthma decisions — 2022

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection and rated at the maximum available rating of 100 percent.,Service connection for a left toe disability is denied as there is no separate diagnosis from his already service-connected left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his allergies, respiratory condition, infracts of the brain (claimed as strokes), and ocular migraines. These conditions may be related to herbicide exposure or secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and right hip condition have been remanded due to the need for further development. Her claim for allergic rhinitis with chronic upper respiratory infections has been granted, as well as her PTSD claim based on MST.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to October 16, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating consideration.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, concluding there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's asthma and right ankle sprain status-post surgical repair claims are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of these conditions. Other service connection claims, including those related to infections, mononucleosis, facial injuries, GERD, nausea, neurological disorders, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, and pharyngitis are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the appellant's request to substitute as a claimant. The AOJ must address these issues, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and addressing the February 2014 VA examiner's qualifications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD and other respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and hay fever. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's autoimmune hepatitis and breathing condition (asthma) are granted as service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board found the evidence in equipoise for both conditions, granting them based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and occupational background prior to April 16, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disorder and asthma/rhinitis issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and its aggravation by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's asthma is related to his period of active service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including missing VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations to assess his hands, sleep apnea/asthma, and right shoulder.

The Veteran's asthma, a qualifying chronic respiratory disease associated with presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his deployment in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, is granted as service connected. The TDIU claim prior to September 8, 2009, remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to service connection issues. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current breathing disorder, including whether it is related to service or in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination and medical opinion to address whether any current chronic lung conditions, including COPD and asthma, are related to service. The March 2022 VA examiner's opinion was found inadequate due to its reliance on only the March 2022 PFT report without considering other relevant evidence.