Asthma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's sleep apnea with asthma is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane. The issue of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected asthma based on pulmonary function test results.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to secure his complete VA treatment records, which may affect the effective date and ratings for bronchial asthma, tinnitus, hearing loss, and status post varicocelectomy.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lung disability, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 7, 2019 for the Veteran's service connection for asthma and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for panic disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disorder.,The Veteran's asthma claim is remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2021 VA examination and the need for a TERA-specific medical opinion.

The Veteran's asthma rating was restored from 10% to 30%, effective April 1, 2021. The Board found the reduction improper and that his condition did not improve under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and sinusitis as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma (claimed as a respiratory condition and shortness of breath) is granted, with the AOJ finding that his asthma is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic metals and fumes during service.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, asthma, and sinusitis due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his TBI and other conditions are denied. The left knee instability receives a separate rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted and has remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and left hip condition are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left hip condition is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology; and there is no evidence that the current disability is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 23, 2019 for a grant of service connection for asthma. The evidence did not support the claim that an intent to file was received by VA on that date.

The Veteran's asthma, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and left hip condition are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left hip condition is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's asthma, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and left hip condition are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left hip condition is not service-connected as it was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology; and there is no evidence that the current disability is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in failing to confirm all treatment records related to the claim were associated with the claims file prior to adjudication of the increased rating and earlier effective date claims. The Veteran is being asked to provide a detailed list of medical treatment dates and locations since his separation from service, including outside VA providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma may be related to service, but further examination is needed to determine if it was clearly and unmistakably aggravated by service.