Asthma decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea and breathing trouble (including COPD, asthma, and emphysema) due to insufficient compliance with previous directives. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder to include asthma and right and left foot disorders other than corns and calluses are being remanded.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's right and left foot disorders of corns and calluses.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for asthma and the service connection for a right knee disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis are granted as service-connected on a direct basis due to evidence showing they began during her military service.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to environmental toxins. The issues of compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings are all set to June 21, 2016.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for PTSD, gunshot wound to left gastrocnemius with scar, and bronchial asthma due to lack of case or controversy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to herbicide agents and/or environmental exposures, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer hearing.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of plantar warts (claimed as HPV).,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of OSA.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of asthma.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of a back disorder.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the right leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the left leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left index finger limitation of range of motion with lacerated digital nerve is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for scar of the left index finger pad is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for allergic conjunctivitis is remanded.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracic spine arthritis is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and pulmonary disorder are remanded as the Veteran has not yet been examined for these conditions.,Service connection for heart disorder and chronic fatigue are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether these disorders are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's right ankle brace damaged his work shoes, but the clothing allowance cannot be granted because eligible articles of clothing were not affected. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for bronchial asthma, service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and right ear hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability, including asthma, chronic cough, and lung granulomas, due to insufficient evidence. The case is being returned for further examination and evaluation.

The case is being remanded due to an incomplete VA medical opinion. The examiner needs to determine if the appellant became permanently incapable of self-support by age 18 due to physical or mental disability, including asthma before the age of 18.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability (asthma and COPD) is granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability has been rendered moot as the Veteran already has a 100 percent schedular rating for his respiratory disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, a right foot disability, and asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors.