Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's pulmonary disease, including his service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease and diagnosed asthma, has required continuous outpatient oxygen therapy since August 2015. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's pulmonary disease.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder. Service connection is remanded for asthma, right knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, migraines, and a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, asthma, and PAD due to herbicide agent exposure. The issue of hypertension is referred to the AOJ as it was not within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter. Service connection for chronic bronchitis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and asthma have been reopened based on new evidence received since the August 1995 denial. Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and asthma.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. The neck disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran had a solid foundation for employment based on his education and work history, despite some limitations due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, and a left hip condition due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disorder is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions, including the failure to schedule an examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His claims for asthma are also granted, but his claims for thyroid disability, cervical spine disability, hypertension (secondary to major depressive disorder), sleep disability, bilateral hip disability, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS) remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions and outstanding records. The issues include right shoulder, left shoulder, left knee, tinnitus, left foot, right ankle, and asthma.

The Veteran's asthma disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to missing scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and bronchitis, which are presumed service-connected. The VA is instructed to obtain SSA records and provide a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 100 percent since December 28, 2017 based on FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted.

Service connection for a heart disorder, to include hypertension and supraventricular arrhythmia is granted pursuant to the PACT Act. Service connection for asthma, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded. Service connection for a heart disorder, to include hypertension and supraventricular arrhythmia on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act, is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for COPD with asthma, scarring, and pulmonary nodules is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to determine his duty status during reserve service in the United States Coast Guard and United States Navy Reserve, as this will impact whether his contended onset dates occurred during periods of service when he was a Veteran for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's asthma began during or after her service, and to obtain a VA respiratory examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, residuals of medial and lateral meniscal tears in the right knee, and asthma, all determined to be related to events during active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but asthma is denied. The case for residuals of stroke is remanded.