Asthma decisions — 2024

The appeals of the denial of service connection for tinnitus and cataracts are dismissed. The increased rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma is denied, while the issues of sleep apnea, left knee joint arthritis with painful motion (extension), and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received during her April 2023 Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the entire appeal filed in September 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was diagnosed with tuberculosis during service and if any current conditions are related to that diagnosis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination, and provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure. Service connection for asthma and stroke are denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for asthma was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and in-service herbicide agent exposure.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure. Service connection for asthma and stroke are denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for stroke remains pending as it has been remanded.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) are remanded.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure. Service connection for asthma and stroke are denied.,The Veteran's stroke claim is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 8, 2003.

The Veteran's asthma claim is remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination, and the Board finds good cause for the Veteran's missed appointment. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's asthma is related to his service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination to determine if her asthma condition was caused or aggravated by her service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board has found that the VA examination provided prior to this decision was inadequate and remands for a new evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for OSA with asthma was denied. The Board found that the current 50 percent disability rating is appropriate as it reflects the predominant respiratory condition, OSA.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent, but no higher, throughout the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea, asthma, and sinusitis due to lack of current diagnoses. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, diverticulitis, constipation, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for service-connected asthma. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected asthma and lumbar spine disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written statement.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the respiratory disorder was due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure, while the hearing loss claim required additional evidence.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent from March 4, 2010 to August 1, 2019 and 60 percent thereafter. The effective date for service connection of asthma is granted as of March 4, 2010. The effective date for service connection of valvular heart disease is denied.