Asthma Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for asthma was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension due to exposure to an herbicide agent or secondary to a service-connected condition. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining private medical records and providing additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an allergy condition and asthma, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for asthma as there are insufficient medical opinions and records to determine if his asthma is related to service, particularly given his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including as due to asbestos and beryllium exposure, is remanded. The claims for hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure and total abdominal colectomy with ileostomy are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with chronic bronchitis is not considered an inhalation injury, and therefore does not qualify for special home adaptation benefits under VA regulations.

Service connection for sinusitis, post traumatic headaches, sleep apnea with associated asthma and COPD, and TBI residuals is denied.,An effective date prior to January 21, 2015, for the grant of service connection for post traumatic headaches, sleep apnea with associated asthma and COPD, and TBI residuals is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include heart conditions, lung conditions, and reopening of previously denied neck, back, and hand condition claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's compensation account and the need for a paid and due audit. The validity of the overpayment amount will also be reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and remanded the issue of a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the right hand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials and the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for hemorrhoids, a disability manifested by dyspnea, and a respiratory condition (including asthma). The Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, joint swelling and stiffness, bilateral knee disability, back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for breathing problems, including asthma and COPD. The Veteran's prostate cancer is denied as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service-connected due to in-service wear and tear. The respiratory condition (pneumonia) is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, but denied reopening of the claim for morbid obesity with reduced vital capacity. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, and diabetic nephropathy is rated at 100 percent. The claims for increased ratings are all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular consideration for bronchial asthma and TDIU due to gaps in VA treatment records, incomplete information from the Veteran, and need for further development of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right knee, left knee, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), skin condition, asthma or respiratory condition, headache condition, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, including FEV-1 of 40 to 55 percent predicted or an FEV-1/FVC ratio of 40 to 55 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's asthma was incurred during service. The VA needs to clarify the type of duty performed during ADSW and ACDUTRA, and obtain a new medical opinion to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's exposure to environmental pollutants and his asthma.