Asthma decisions — 2024

The Veteran's asthma and PTSD do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to their non-total disability ratings, and his TDIU is based on PTSD which does not qualify under the relevant VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his meeting the threshold requirements for entitlement but not having an employment handicap, as determined by a VA counseling psychologist (CP) or VRC.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 10, 2016 for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's original claim in April 2012 was limited to asthma and related respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and COPD, which are considered respiratory disorders. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding it is due to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also remands the issue of service connection for asthma, as there are concerns about whether the Veteran had exposure to Agent Orange and an adequate VA opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including mitral valve prolapse, supraventricular tachycardia with vasovagal syncope, cholecystectomy, chronic asthma, and thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy, all of which she attributes to receiving the anthrax vaccine during her military service. The Board found that additional opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was previously granted in an October 2023 rating decision, and the appeal is dismissed as neither the Veteran nor his representative has appealed the rating or effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and bronchitis with an effective date of August 25, 2021. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in 2014 but he continuously pursued his claim since then.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for COPD, increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II, and increased rating for scar to neck have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requires a VA examination for asthma.

The Veteran's asthma is granted effective August 5, 2021. The issue of service connection for his asthma before this date remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded due to new and relevant evidence received since the last final denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been granted based on new and relevant evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate disability, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, lung disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, to include GERD, and respiratory disorder, including asthma, due to a lack of adequate medical opinions. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU from March 4, 2015, to August 30, 2016, is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing he was unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome, also claimed as vertigo, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, degenerative arthritis (also claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and left hip condition have been denied due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no indication in the record that the Veteran was exposed to any specific hazards or substances during his military service that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining VA Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) records and obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hydrocodone prescribed for COPD, contributed to his suicide.