Asthma decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and asthma, finding that the evidence does not support a link to military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for asthma was proper as the Veteran had never been awarded service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's asthma and bilateral pes planus disabilities are granted as service-connected on a direct basis, with no presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Service connection is granted for a skin disability, including chronic urticaria, cellulitis with dermatitis, and psoriasis.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for asthma.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for kidney stones.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's asthma claim is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to September 20, 2024, remains in dispute and will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disability, including asthma and COPD, is causally related to his toxic exposure risk activity during service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The appeal to reduce the evaluation of asthma from 100% to 10% is dismissed because it was premature.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD and asthma due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not addressed, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30% from August 10, 2022 to September 9, 2022. An effective date prior to August 10, 2022 for service connection of asthma is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for asthma due to a duty to assist error, as there is insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran's current asthma diagnosis and in-service treatment records are considered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 25, 2019, for service connection for asthma was granted. The Board found that the September 25, 2019, VA Form 21-526EZ was a supplemental claim for the previously denied asthma claim.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC on account of being housebound was dismissed. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, finding that he requires assistance with various daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but denied service connection for asthma, bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 4, 2024 for the grant of service connection for asthma and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The appeal regarding earlier effective dates for OSA with sarcoidosis is dismissed as a legal nullity.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, chronic diarrhea (IBS), and sleep apnea with asthma have all been denied. The effective dates for these conditions are September 1, 2022.,An earlier effective date of September 1, 2023, has been granted for the award of service connection for hypertension, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and asthma are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service-connected asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis have been granted with an effective date of October 21, 2021.,Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits has also been granted with the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as it is related to service-connected maxillary/frontal sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to address these issues.