Asthma decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for right hip degenerative arthritis and bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for tinnitus, and remanded claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma and service connection for left foot pes planus with left foot cyst.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and asthma, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for an initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea to ensure compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that the evidence does not support a direct link between the Veteran's asthma and his active military service or any in-service exposure.

The appeal for a 100 percent rating for asthma prior to January 27, 2014, is dismissed due to the issue being currently under a pending Legacy appeal.

The Board granted service connection for asthma based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for dysthymic disorder and asthma.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asthma and a higher initial rating, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied a compensable rating for acne, granted a 10 percent rating for asthma, and denied ratings greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, traumatic dislocation of septal cartilage, left wrist tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative joint disease, and left ring finger and palm surgical scarring. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for left ring finger status post DIP arthrodesis and nodule excision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma and bronchitis to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology, particularly in light of the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic substances during his service in Vietnam.

The appeal for service connection of left knee arthritis, claimed as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical report. The Board needs clarification on the Veteran's military history and the correct factual premises.

The Board granted service connection for knee strain flexion in both knees and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, but denied service connection for asthma and prolactinoma. The Board also denied higher ratings for the Veteran's knee strain extension and right lower radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a current sleep apnea disability, and that his asthma, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent disabling for service-connected asthma with allergies based on the evidence of record.

The Board remanded the claim for a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's asthma, as required pulmonary function tests were not conducted.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder was denied. The appeals for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea were dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate rating for obstructive sleep apnea, stating that separate ratings for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma are not permitted.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of OSA, including as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, asthma, and IBS. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits was confirmed.

The Board denied service connection for vitamin, to include thiamine, deficiency as it is not a disability for VA purposes. Other claims were remanded.