Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as asthma. The Veteran's right little finger disability is not rated higher than non-compensable.

The Veteran's melanoma and eczematoid dermatitis are granted service connection. The Board finds the asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, headaches, and OSA issues need further development due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as a result of the PACT Act, and his bilateral great toenail disabilities are rated at 10%.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim. The Board also found that there is a reasonable possibility that the Veteran's asthma is related to his military service.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for further development to address the service connection theory and whether her obesity, which may be related to her service-connected disabilities, is a substantial factor in causing her current asthma.

The Veteran's asthma was characterized as mild, intermittent, and stable prior to September 12, 2022. The Board found no evidence of monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids, which are necessary for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and asthma due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new opinions on direct service connection.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection and rating appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma may have pre-existed service and is seeking clarification on whether it was aggravated during service or if it had its onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current asthma to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and restrictive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are presumptively related to his in-service exposure to burn pits. The low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder claims have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during service, as well as service connection for lung nodules. Service connection for a lung disability due to asbestos exposure is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's eye disorder, including astigmatism and/or eye blurriness, is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is granted due to exposure during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for asthma and has remanded the claims for residuals of skin melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), and loss of erectile power due to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung condition, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any such conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorders, lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted service connection. The hypertension claim is denied.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder) is granted based on in-service stressors and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and an increased rating for asthma. The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU, but remanded for further development regarding his asthma claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of these claims.