Asthma Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, or if it is a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma, which is claimed as a chronic respiratory disorder. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion on whether the asthma is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue remains pending.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as a result of Persian Gulf War exposure, but his skin disability to include tinea pedis and dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include asthma and COPD is remanded due to the need for additional medical records regarding in-service hospitalization for pneumonia.

The Veteran's exercise induced bronchoconstriction was not manifested by pulmonary function testing (PFT) results showing pre-or-post-bronchodilator FEV-1 less than 81 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 81 percent. As a result, the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death may be related to his service-connected hypertension, which is presumed to have been caused by in-service herbicide exposure. However, further medical opinion is needed to establish whether this relationship exists and if so, whether it contributed to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, radiculopathy (left and right lower extremities), and asthma due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claim file.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The claim for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for asthma due to conflicting medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, diagnosed as bronchial asthma and COPD, on the basis of substitution.,The Board has also granted service connection for gastric cancer, on the basis of substitution.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period from July 28, 2009 to January 4, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, gout/left great toe degenerative arthritis, asthma, and skin disability were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a nexus to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including asthma, is related to his service exposure to chemicals and fumes during his military duties. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bronchial asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. The case will be returned for further development and a new opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Costochondritis, and Asthma were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria to warrant readjudication. The costochondritis claim was also denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and asthma due to insufficient explanation of reliance on a 2019 VA medical opinion, which was based on an outdated report. The examiner must consider more recent literature and provide a reasoned analysis regarding the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration prior to August 11, 2020 due to her service-connected psychiatric disorder and other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, sinusitis, and asthma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,Service treatment records show some medical issues during service but no chronic or persistent symptoms related to the claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding asthma. The Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma is being reviewed again.