Asthma decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchial asthma. The new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for gout, pseudogout, asthma, sleep apnea, and skin cancer were denied as not related to service. The claim for kidney disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, emphysema, and restricted lung disease, is related to service-connected sinusitis or rhinitis or due to in-service asbestos exposure. However, additional development is needed as the medical opinion provided did not address the Veteran's submissions or lay statements.

Asthma was granted service connection effective March 26, 2015.,Right knee joint osteoarthritis and right wrist osteoarthritis were granted service connection effective October 3, 2014.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with constrictive bronchiolitis (lung disability) has been granted a rating of 100 percent, which is the highest possible rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of kidney stones and diverticulitis. The claims for rash, diarrhea, and asthma have been reopened.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically asthma, is granted as service connected. The right lower leg condition and bilateral hip condition are denied due to lack of evidence supporting their connection to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection due to its presumptive relationship with his Persian Gulf War service. The other claims for shoulder, elbow, back, and sciatica disorders were remanded as further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The respiratory condition claim is related to exposure during training, while the low back condition claim requires a new examination considering the in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for high blood pressure with symptoms of dizziness due to exposure to herbicides/dioxin, or due to the service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also facing a remand for an increased rating for asthma and a TDIU.,The appeal is currently in process and will be addressed after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA medical opinion regarding his asthma condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was dismissed as the benefit sought (full grant of service connection) has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for asthma, obstructive and restrictive airway disease, and bronchiolitis due to insufficient evidence in the claims file regarding asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically shortness of breath. The Veteran claims service connection for this disability but his STRs do not show any relevant treatment or diagnosis after October 1980. A new examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, asthma, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hypertension.,The Veteran's preexisting asthma was not aggravated during his active service and is not related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, heart disability, and respiratory disability. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of an independent diagnosis or in-service event related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, asthma, thrombophlebitis of the bilateral lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Board finds that service connection should be granted for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is presumed. The condition was diagnosed within 10 years of separation from military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is denied. The Board grants an initial disability rating of 30 percent for thoracotomy scars, effective June 28, 2010. The claims for secondary service connection for insomnia and a separate disability rating for thoracotomy scars with limitation of motion are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions regarding his respiratory, arthritic, non-arthritic cold weather injury residuals, sinus, and hypertension disabilities. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.