Asthma Board decisions

The Board has found that remand is necessary for both the respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss claims due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is withdrawn. The Veteran's right ankle pain claim is granted, but the respiratory disability and left foot condition claims are remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including bronchitis, asthma, and COPD, were not incurred in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to service, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board finds that his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea began during his active duty service and grants the claim. Other issues related to right hip, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination records.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to Gulf War exposure. Right foot tarsitis and right ankle tendonitis, as well as bilateral eye optic atrophy and migraine headaches are all granted service connection with effective dates prior to February 20, 2014. However, the Veteran's TBI claim has been denied for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma began during service and is not due to a pre-existing condition. Therefore, service connection for asthma is granted.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, was not incurred during active duty service. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's in-service exposures and his current respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis, service connection for sleep apnea and otitis externa with dizziness as secondary to his asthma, and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, has been granted. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, ulcer condition (gastrointestinal), and respiratory condition (asthma) have been remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to May 20, 2015 is granted. The COPD rating issue from October 4, 2013 is remanded due to an inaccurate SSOC.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and Respiratory Symptoms. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30% effective April 29, 2020. The left knee strain received a separate 10% rating from April 26, 2019.,A TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder), asthma, sleep apnea syndrome, and hearing loss. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, respiratory disorder (SA), and sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the conditions preexisted his service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma rating was reduced from 100% to 30%, effective December 1, 2016. The Board found that the reduction was proper as there were no medical records indicating daily use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications. A 60% rating for bronchial asthma is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma were denied. The decision also addressed the initial rating for asthma, finding that a 30 percent rating was warranted from October 21, 2015 to March 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining pulmonary function test results and addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's stomach issues, respiratory problems, and tremors are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service in Southwest Asia. The Board is seeking clarification on whether the Veteran's asthma preexisted service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a respiratory condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee disability. Additional records are needed from SSA, VA treatment records, private doctors, and exposure confirmation. A new medical opinion is required to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his current disability picture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea and asthma with a history of bronchitis due to issues related to the propriety of combining ratings, as well as the need for additional medical evidence.