Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea, asthma, and insomnia disabilities are all granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma, diverticulitis, ventral hernia, lumbar strain, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a lung disability other than asthma or obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of flexion and instability, and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.,OSA with asthma has been rated at 50 percent since its initial grant in March 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as panic attacks, is granted service connection. The appeals for respiratory infections, hearing loss, tinnitus, digestive disease, Barrett's esophagus, asthma, and sleep issues are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as service connected, with the condition believed to have been incurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).,Service connection for a respiratory disability and hypertension are denied.,Hypertension was diagnosed five years after separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. Service connection for a respiratory condition, to include asthma, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's mild atrophy of left thigh quadriceps muscle group XIV is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,For asthma prior to February 18, 2018, a higher rating of 30 percent is not warranted. For asthma effective February 18, 2018, a higher rating of 60 percent is not warranted.,The Veteran's acne does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,For ulcer syndrome with pancreatitis effective January 27, 2010, a higher than 30 percent rating is not warranted.,Left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's asthma is linked to his in-service exposure to a chemical agent, tinnitus is attributed to noise exposure during service, and his hearing loss is presumed to have worsened due to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diverticulitis with bleeding was denied. The claims of service connection for asthma, right inguinal hernia, and TDIU prior to February 25, 2015 are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's pulmonary function testing (PFT) criteria.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis and 3 millimeter lung nodule is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from December 22, 2015. The condition requires daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy and inhalational anti-inflammatory medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease including hypertension and asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records from SSA, specifically copies of the Veteran's application for benefits and the SSA decision. They are also required to seek an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and asthma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, mood depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, asthma, and bilateral leg cramps due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for medical examinations, and determining the etiology of each condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma, which was not preexisting service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a breathing condition, low back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left ankle disability, and asthma due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was not aggravated during his active duty.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives, and additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims. This includes verifying Southwest Asia service during the Persian Gulf War and providing in-person examinations for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his asthma.

The Veteran's OSA with asthma alone prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. Additionally, he has other service-connected disabilities that combine to be at least 60 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.