Asthma decisions — 2026

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent prior to December 5, 2019 and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's dermatophytosis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board granted an effective date of August 29, 2024 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to continuous pursuit of claims related to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for rhinitis, dizziness, leg muscle pain, asthma, cervical strain as secondary to a low back condition, and left shoulder due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering the totality of his military exposure.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection, with the Board finding that his headaches started during active duty and have persisted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The appeal pertaining to the issues of asthma and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, due to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted. The appeal regarding obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's COPD is a separate and distinct condition from his service-connected bronchial asthma, but it is not secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma. The Board finds an addendum VA medical opinion necessary to properly determine entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's asthma and xerosis cutis have been granted initial ratings, but the right upper extremity neurological disability and left upper extremity neurological disability claims are being remanded for further development.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is not supported by adequate reasoning and must be remanded to allow for a thorough review, including obtaining medical opinions on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma attacks with chronic bronchitis improved to a point where she no longer met the criteria for a 30 percent rating, and thus reduced her disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective February 1, 2021. The reduction was proper as there was material improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for asthma, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to a voided enlistment in the United States Air Force. The service department needs clarification on whether the enlistment was voided.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 60 percent for asthma with chronic cough is dismissed as moot due to the grant of these claims by the AOJ.

The Veteran's asthma was granted a 100% evaluation effective March 22, 2022. The claim for an earlier effective date of January 30, 2009 is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the severance of service connection for asthma and remanded the issue of whether the severance of service connection for migraines was proper.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during service, specifically regarding the appellant's pulmonary fibrosis. The VA will conduct an examination and obtain a medical opinion on the relationship between the TERA and the appellant's condition.

The Veteran's OSA is his predominant respiratory disability and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was denied an increased rating greater than 50 percent for OSA and asthma.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for service connection for OSA and GERD as secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep apnea, asthma, and right lung granulomatous disease have been dismissed. The Veteran's bilateral hip disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hand arthritis has also been granted.

The Veteran's asthma was diagnosed before August 10, 2022. The Board granted service connection for asthma under provisions of the PACT Act, which went into effect on August 10, 2022. As the date of claim is more than one year after the effective date of the PACT Act and the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for service connection before August 10, 2022, an effective date of May 8, 2023, was granted.