Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including high blood pressure, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, a low back disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and an unspecified respiratory condition. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2011, but could be granted on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities.,The criteria for an effective date before March 1, 2011, for DEA benefits were also denied because the Veteran's combined rating remained at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and the VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, the opinion did not address whether the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service or if there were any other factors contributing to its severity during service. The Board finds this insufficient for adjudication purposes and therefore remands the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is etiologically related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability (other than asthma), to include pulmonary fibrosis, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current COPD and military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA examination findings regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, which may be related to service. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for uterine fibroids and respiratory disease due to incomplete service records, including missing VA treatment records. The appeal is remanded because the Veteran's claims are reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for a chronic scar disorder is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's asthma prior to February 10, 2020, is rated at 30 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma since February 10, 2020, is rated at 50 percent, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is currently effective since January 7, 2021. Prior to this date, he was rated as 30 percent disabled for bronchial asthma, 10 percent disabled for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, 10 percent disabled for tinnitus, and 10 percent disabled for a cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies has been denied as there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his active-duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, unspecified gout, and unspecified arthritis have been remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions on their etiology. The conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion on its etiology.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee disability, left leg disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability have been remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions on their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's asthma and left knee disorder claims should be remanded for further action, including issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development on multiple issues, including service connection for asthma and COPD, the propriety of a reduction in evaluation for neck disability, increased ratings for radiculopathy, left shoulder strain, and right ankle disability, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his active service and his current asthma condition. The Board also found that asthma is not related to his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for respiratory, low back, penile, skin, and testicular disabilities. The increased rating claim for PTSD/TBI is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, and also denied his claim for TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and lung scarring due to a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims. The Veteran served as an aviation ordnanceman, but reported exposure to asbestos during ship refit.