Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for COPD, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of current disability evidence.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, a respiratory disability (asthma), a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability due to the lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of a left big toe injury are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a respiratory disorder other than his already service-connected asthma. Therefore, the claim of service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as a presumptive condition related to his service in the Persian Gulf War, effective August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and right inguinal hernia due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements about his service duties are also considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has found that another remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's respiratory disability, including OSA and other conditions, is directly related to service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability remains under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa and asthma due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms during service are noted, but further medical evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service exposure to solvents resulted in current diagnoses of COPD with asthma, and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and compliance with previous remand requests.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the other issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for left foot fracture, service connection for residuals of broken right foot, and service connection for respiratory disorder (asthma and COPD) were denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis based on the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) was not supported by evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure, and his claim for bilateral foot disorders is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a back disability due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examinations. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential in-service causation.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf, effective from the date of the decision. The claims are based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and granted it. The effective date is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of an application therefor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in her VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected asthma and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations.