Asthma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability (headaches), an in-service event (service in Southwest Asia), and a nexus between his headache symptoms and his military service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). Service connection was also granted for asthma pursuant to the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during service in Qatar. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for somatic symptom disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his right tarsal tunnel syndrome was dismissed because it came from a proposed rating reduction. The appeals for higher ratings for lumbar muscle strain and asthma were denied, with the TDIU claim being granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for head injury residuals is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition (abnormal heart with chest pain) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis as secondary to bronchial asthma have been dismissed. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for further evidence regarding whether the Veteran's asthma was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated during his periods of active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected Asthma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and asthma.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion are inadequate to determine if the Veteran's asthma is related to his service, specifically due to burn pit exposure. The case is being remanded for a new examination with an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which included the hearing request. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The effective date for the grants was set at July 26, 2018.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, but the claims for back disability, bilateral CTS, and bilateral leg disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's MOS of aircraft maintenance indicates exposure to noise during service.,Service connection for asthma is granted as the onset was during service and supported by VA examination findings. The examiner noted no evidence of respiratory condition or shortness of breath while in service.,Service connection for anemia is denied due to lack of current diagnosis, with no competent evidence linking it to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no audiometric findings meeting the criteria for a disability. The Veteran's hearing was found normal during VA examination.,Service connection for left eye disability (retinal hemorrhage, choroidal nevi, bilateral vitreous floaters) is granted due to presumed exposure under PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for OSA is granted, with the condition that he requires the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The Veteran was previously rated at a 30 percent evaluation due to asthma and sleep apnea, but now receives a separate 50 percent evaluation for OSA.

Service connection for asthma is granted based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Kuwait. A 70 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for PTSD. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include depression, anxiety, and paranoia, leading to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's claims for cerebral demyelination and inducible laryngeal obstruction/paradoxical vocal fold motion with laryngopharyngeal reflux are remanded as new evidence may be needed to establish a connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and exposure. The AOJ must obtain pay stubs from the Navy Reserve to determine these periods and provide VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of the veteran's head injury, back disability, respiratory disability, and heart disability.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for asthma, which was denied in a previous rating decision. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the appellant's withdrawal.

The reduction from a 10 percent rating to noncompensable for asthma was improper, and the 10 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to an initial higher rating for asthma remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and GERD due to exposure to burn pits during service in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking presumptive service connection for these conditions.