Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient consideration of new evidence, including a Veteran's hospitalization in December 1958 and his reports regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tension headaches, sleep apnea, a right ankle disability, and bronchitis have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal were granted in full.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral inguinal hernia repair was dismissed as the Veteran explicitly requested withdrawal.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was also dismissed as the Veteran and his representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed, but it may be related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of asthma was denied as the earliest possible effective date is July 6, 2017, when he filed a request to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for asthma is granted, but his GERD claim is denied.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from February 18, 2016, to December 31, 2017, and since April 1, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during these periods.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and opinions regarding exposure to asbestos, as well as the etiology of his respiratory and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Somalia, and the condition is presumed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's asthma is not considered an inhalation injury, and therefore does not qualify for a special home adaptation grant. The Veteran was denied eligibility due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, lung disorder including a persistent cough, asthma, and COPD, and pneumonia. The cause of death claim is also remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's cholangiocarcinoma.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for obstructive sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease with bronchial asthma is denied. The earliest possible effective date under law is April 20, 2018.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and dyspnea, are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's asthma and its relation to service exposure. The VA will schedule an examination for the appellant to determine if his current asthma is related to in-service exposure to fumes from fuel.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, bilateral flat feet, and low back condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are reopened but denied.

The Veteran's asthma, diagnosed after service and presumed related to exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act, is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. A rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma is granted under the PACT Act, and his gastrointestinal disability (GERD) and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased ratings of sinusitis, rhinitis, and a back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected COPD with exercise-induced asthma is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.