Asthma Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and updated SSA records. The Veteran's substance abuse and CAD are also being reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent since February 22, 2013. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from August 25, 2017.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6602. The preponderance of evidence does not reflect the required manifestations to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of records and unavailability of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow arthritis, COPD, and kidney stones were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and service or any presumptive exposure.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as no indication of intent to apply prior to November 26, 2014 was found.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.,The Veteran's TBI claim requires clarification due to insufficient rationale in the August 2017 VA examination report.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the low back disability (DDD at L4-L5).,Left wrist and left shoulder conditions require a new VA examination for proper assessment.,Hypertension, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea are remanded issues as no specific service connection theory or exposure basis is provided.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected respiratory disability was denied. The current rating of 60 percent is maintained as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on her service-connected bilateral lower extremity disability, pes planus, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. Her claims for service connection for asthma, restless leg syndrome, and depression remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for a bleeding disorder, asthma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea is not conceded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's in-service exposures or his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 11, 2009 for the awards of a TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since at least February 11, 2009.

The Veteran's asthma and migraines claims are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess their severity and etiology.

The Veteran's OSA with asthma is rated at 50 percent, effective June 1, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show chronic respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,Gout was granted an initial 20 percent rating, effective June 1, 2011. The Veteran had at least four gout flares per year and his medication controlled his symptoms.,Migraines were denied a compensable rating as the evidence did not show prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,Right shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective March 26, 2019. The Veteran had limitation of motion at shoulder level and midway between side and shoulder level.,Bilateral upper extremity neurological disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to March 26, 2019, but denied any higher rating thereafter.,Left upper extremity neurological disability was denied any higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and its relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the skin disorder claim due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining claims for respiratory disorders, sleep apnea, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and gout are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and skin disability, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 50 percent for sleep apnea with asthma and entitlement to special monthly compensation due to incomplete development of the issues.