Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence, including failure to address relevant DBQs and VA treatment records. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct new examinations per Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017), issue an adequate SSOC, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for SMC AA/HB is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing her need for aid and attendance or housebound status based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, right knee disability, left knee disability, lower back pain, and left lower extremity pain due to a lack of VA examinations. The appellant contends that his disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, nasal problems, sleep apnea, respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, PTSD, and social anxiety due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and exposure history.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchial asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma is related to his military service. The back disability claim was not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service records, which may be related to his current lung conditions. The VA examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, specifically requesting a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obesity and its relation to his service-connected disabilities, as well as whether his GERD is related to any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and asthma due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, including those from Social Security Administration (SSA). The VA must obtain these records and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma and COPD as they are related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case is sent back for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and the appeal for an increased rating remains pending. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his COPD claim, as well as to address his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, diminished vision, and heart condition due to incomplete development and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features. The case needs further clarification from a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 29, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran had other disabilities and nonservice-connected conditions that prevented employment.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, including bronchiectasis and asthma, as the Veteran's pre-existing bronchiectasis did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's asthma began in service or is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, presumed secondary to his right ankle and right knee disabilities as well as asthma, should be remanded for further development.