Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's asthma, bronchial with dermatitis is rated at more than 30 percent prior to March 20, 2018 and more than 60 percent thereafter. The Board has found that remand is necessary for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, allergies/allergic rhinitis, lesions/lung nodules, and diverticulitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service and that his symptoms are more consistent with bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and sarcoidosis as service connection is being evaluated based on exposure to hazardous chemicals at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner will need to review additional medical literature submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory conditions (bronchitis, asthma, and OSA) are currently rated as a single disability under the criteria for sleep apnea with asthma and chronic bronchitis associated with allergic rhinitis. The Board found that separate ratings for these conditions are not warranted due to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.96(a).

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not manifest in service and is unrelated to service.,The probative evidence of record does not support a finding that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence to support a diagnosis of asthma or any chronic upper respiratory disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 2005. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period from March 22, 2005 to April 22, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including high blood pressure, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, a low back disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and an unspecified respiratory condition. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2011, but could be granted on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities.,The criteria for an effective date before March 1, 2011, for DEA benefits were also denied because the Veteran's combined rating remained at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and the VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, the opinion did not address whether the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service or if there were any other factors contributing to its severity during service. The Board finds this insufficient for adjudication purposes and therefore remands the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma is etiologically related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability (other than asthma), to include pulmonary fibrosis, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current COPD and military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA examination findings regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, which may be related to service. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for uterine fibroids and respiratory disease due to incomplete service records, including missing VA treatment records. The appeal is remanded because the Veteran's claims are reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for a chronic scar disorder is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's asthma prior to February 10, 2020, is rated at 30 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma since February 10, 2020, is rated at 50 percent, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is currently effective since January 7, 2021. Prior to this date, he was rated as 30 percent disabled for bronchial asthma, 10 percent disabled for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, 10 percent disabled for tinnitus, and 10 percent disabled for a cervical spine disorder.