Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding the Veteran's lung conditions and their relation to herbicide exposure.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder. Service connection for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and eczema were denied due to lack of evidence supporting their relationship with the Veteran's service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and chronic bronchitis due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision regarding service connection. The Veteran's history of respiratory issues, including asthma and chronic bronchitis, is noted from childhood onwards. Service records indicate treatment during active duty but no pre-existing condition prior to service is noted. The Board will need to determine if any increase in severity was due to natural progression or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and right knee injury residuals have been reopened, but the appeals are mixed as some issues were granted while others remain pending. The Board has remanded both claims to obtain additional evidence and determine their merits.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's asthma and left knee disability, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of private and VA treatment records in previous etiology opinions. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, reopening the previously denied claim. The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma and COPD, as well as his exposure history. The current VA Medical Opinion did not address whether the conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma with obstructive sleep apnea is granted a 100% rating from July 12, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA medical records do not adequately address whether the Veteran's asthma and CAD conditions were aggravated by prescribed statin medications, leading to a remand for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and bilateral nasal polyposis with sinusitis and allergy symptoms have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in January 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis and remanded the claims for asthma. The Veteran's claims for bilateral macular degeneration are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for a low back disability and bronchial asthma with sleep apnea, as well as the TDIU claim due to insufficient medical records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's employment history is also needed for the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine disability, GERD, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for service connection for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including private treatment records from Dr. M, and a VA examination considering Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dyspnea, chronic cough, and respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), as well as TDIU prior to April 15, 2015. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA examinations and medical opinions.

Your claim for service connection for asthma has been fully granted, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any unresolved issues.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for all listed conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and chronic respiratory disorder (asthma) due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's asthma is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his qualifying period of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.