Asthma decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for a scar from sebaceous cyst removal, service connection for a right hand injury, sleep disturbance, and an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI due to Persian Gulf War service have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sinus condition and asthma has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran meets all necessary criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia during his service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, an ear disorder, right ear hearing loss, and depression. The Veteran's claims are also being reviewed for a higher evaluation for scars and for TDIU.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent effective April 30, 2019. The claim of service connection for a heart disorder has been reopened and granted due to new evidence indicating potential inservice onset. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and acquired psychiatric disorders are all granted on a presumptive basis.,The Veteran's right knee, left knee, left shoulder, left hand, and left wrist disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claims at the November 2021 Board hearing.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus type II, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis claims have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating for hypertension but not an increased rating. His service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, and bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities have been dismissed as they were granted in a previous rating decision. The claims for service connection for brain tumor, epilepsy, asthma, and sleep apnea have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma are remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for medical examinations.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened, and the VA examiner recommends a new examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from December 1, 2013, to February 23, 2015. For other periods, his combined disability rating was sufficient for TDIU.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis with asthma prior to July 31, 2019 is rated at 30 percent. From July 31, 2019 to April 11, 2022, the rating is increased to 60 percent. Since April 11, 2022, the Veteran's sarcoidosis with asthma is rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, and keratoconus have been denied. The claim for a bilateral eye disability other than keratoconus is being remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The right hand neurological disability, left hand neurological disability, skin disability (including melanoma, multiple myeloma, and nevus), organic disease of the central nervous system (previously claimed as residuals of a stroke), and respiratory disorder (including asthma and chronic cough) have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition and breathing problems, including whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and TDIU claim. The Veteran is now service connected for sleep apnea but not asthma.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeals.,The Veteran has service-connected disabilities including Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Asthma, Major Depressive Disorder with Borderline Personality Disorder, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, and Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, as there is insufficient evidence regarding his in-service exposure and a need for an adequate opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's asthma, left big toe condition, bilateral pes planus, and obstructive sleep apnea are all remanded for further development. The claims will be adjudicated based on the presumption of exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of her current service-connected disabilities' severity. The Board also requests additional VA examinations to determine if her service-connected conditions solely result in her need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.,The issues of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bronchial asthma, and COPD are remanded due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure history and medical opinions.,TDIU prior to December 9, 2020 is remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of the other service connection claims.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for bronchial asthma and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bronchial asthma is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to asbestos in the engine room.