Asthma decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various conditions and ratings, with some issues being denied in excess of the assigned rating and others having their ratings denied altogether.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of ABPA or asthma during the claims period, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The appeal for a higher rating of 60 percent for asthma, with recurrent bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's esophageal rings with IBS are rated at 30 percent.,The appeal for a higher rating than 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder prior to January 8, 2021, and to a rating higher than 70 percent thereafter, as well as the TDIU claim, is remanded.

The Board has decided that the VA examination did not adequately address the appellant's reported history of exposure to dust, chemicals, or asbestos during service and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma was aggravated by service, and his claim for service connection is granted. His right index finger disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for sleep apnea and asthma, with a history of bronchitis is denied. The current ratings are appropriate as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was aggravated by his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD and Asthma have been rated, but the rating for PTSD has been denied as not meeting criteria for a higher than 50% or 70% disability rating. The rating for Asthma has also been denied as not meeting criteria for a higher than 30% or 60% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examination and to clarify the relationship between service-connected conditions and any respiratory disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's appeal regarding the other issues is remanded due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at a 60 percent disability rating, which meets the criteria for this rating based on his forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV-1) being between 40 to 55 percent predicted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and asthma as they are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, asthma, COPD, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, prostate cancer, and CAD.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development. The issues of increased evaluations for asthma, migraine headaches, cervical spine strain post fusion C5-C6 with disc bulging and stenosis, and lumbago with L3-L4 disc herniation are all pending. A total disability rating based on individual unemployment (TDIU) prior to September 20, 2021 is also pending.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection as it manifested within 10 years of his separation from active duty in the Persian Gulf War, and he was presumed exposed to particulate matter during that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, respiratory, and throat disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The VA must provide an addendum opinion on all issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition has been reopened due to new evidence. Other issues have also been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 60 percent from December 28, 2012 and continues to be rated at that level. The Board denied an increased rating higher than 60 percent.