Asthma decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for his respiratory disability, GERD, lipoma, allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, dizziness, and low back condition. The examination is also necessary to address the impact of toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient reasoning in previous opinions regarding the onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for a separate compensable rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, complete forms, and undergo examinations related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea with asthma have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are also denied.

The Veteran's asthma and back strain are granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, heart murmur, asthma, and eczema. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and he is now granted service connection for asthma. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, PSVT, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on multiple conditions is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims include asthma, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to PTSD), GERD, low back disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various respiratory and skin conditions due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are presumed based on the PACT Act. The Veteran's asthma is granted presumptively.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Okinawa due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.,Service connection for acid reflux disease and asthma is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asthma and COPD (to include bronchitis) due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is related to service, including presumed exposure to fine particulate matter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, skin disorder, bowel disorder, cardiovascular disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are remanded due to a lack of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings related to various conditions, including respiratory issues, peripheral neuropathy, groin pain, and lumbar strain. The Board has ordered these matters remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist ganglion cysts are remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has these conditions and whether they are related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection of his right wrist ganglion cyst due to his service-connected right wrist fracture residuals and/or carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. The Board will also decide if this condition is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his hypertension is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his restless leg syndrome is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his rhinitis is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his sinusitis is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine arthritis, is remanded. The Board will also decide if this condition is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his skin cancer is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, which is currently diagnosed in addition to asthma.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was rated at 60 percent prior to August 19, 2023. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, bronchial asthma, and an earlier effective date for bronchial asthma are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma and acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, are remanded for further development as VA has not yet fulfilled its duty to assist in developing the claims.

The Veteran's claims for blindness, including light perception only, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection for asthma has also been denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to service or undiagnosed illness.