Asthma decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to fine particulate matter during his Southwest Asia theater of operations qualifies him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issue of secondary sleep apnea to allow for a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection claims were decided.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are granted as due to Gulf War exposures.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act. The claims for asthma and bronchiectasis are remanded.

The Veteran's LLER was granted a 40 percent rating as of September 12, 2020. Prior to this date, the claim for an increased rating was denied.,A 60 percent rating for asthma was granted as of September 12, 2020. The Veteran's BHL is assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and service, particularly his reported asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis and asthma, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his presumed asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma. The issues of service connection for bile duct cancer, TMJ, digestive disorder (claimed as acid reflux), and the cause of death are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma clearly existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on FEV-1 or FVC percentages.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of asthma, leading to the dismissal of this case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active service. The Board considered the Veteran's assertions about jet fuel exposure but found no medical opinion supporting this theory.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his pulmonary fibrosis and a retrospective VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including neck condition, bilateral knee condition, respiratory disability (asthma and COPD), and heart disability. The issues are being remanded due to unresolved questions regarding the presumption of soundness at entrance into service and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection was granted for left knee disability, with the examiner noting that the Veteran's in-service injury resolved by May 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma under the PACT Act, but has remanded both the diabetes and asthma claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye conditions, respiratory disabilities (Asthma and COPD), right arm condition, and left arm condition are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.