Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and respiratory disabilities (asthma and interstitial lung disease), finding that these conditions are related to mustard gas exposure during active duty service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, is remanded due to the need for an examination. The appeal for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with thoracolumbar strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's asthma and tinnitus, both rated at 10 percent, are in effect during the entire period on appeal. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, PTSD, DDA/AUD, asthma, gastrointestinal disability, and OSA are all granted. The Veteran's asthma is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to burn pits and other particulate matter during his Southwest Asia service. His gastrointestinal issues are also presumed to be related to this exposure. However, the Board found no evidence of a nexus between PTSD and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for chronic sinusitis, allergic/atopic rhinitis, COPD, asthma, and IBS with chronic diarrhea due to exposure during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection effective June 23, 2013. The effective date is based on the earliest possible date of entitlement to benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The left foot disability rating is granted with a temporary total rating from March 17, 2021 to May 12, 2021.,Service connection for asthma was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.,The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded. The examiner must provide a nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.,The left foot disability rating remains pending as it was also remanded, requiring additional treatment records from private providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinus tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma due to potential exposure to toxic substances during service. The claims are being remanded to ensure compliance with the PACT Act regarding TERA.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, bilateral pes planus, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right leg condition, and left leg condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, specifically calcified pulmonary granulomas and Alfa 1 antitrypsin deficiency. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as well as aggravation of asthma by sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and exposure theories. The Veteran's representative raised a new theory of entitlement based on in-service herbicide exposure, which requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's eye disability, colon cancer, and lung disability are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in previous examinations and need for an opinion considering all potential exposures during service, including Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for bronchial asthma. The Veteran's claim of interstitial lung disease is also being reviewed, as it was not previously considered.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The asthma issue has been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's COPD with exercise-induced asthma has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus his claim is denied.