Asthma Board decisions

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found no evidence of a sinus condition in service and no credible evidence that the Veteran's current sinus condition is related to his military service. The claims for COPD, asthma, and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma/asbestosis, skin cancer, foot skin disorders, left knee arthritis, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of other joints (excluding the left elbow). The reasons provided are that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for respiratory disorders, including as due to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not related to his active duty or National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides during Vietnam and there is no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B does not warrant a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7345, as there is no evidence of active hepatitis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to other causes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and a VA examination to address the onset of his respiratory disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion or a new examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has asthma and its etiology. The Veteran's lung disability claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are related to his active service. The Veteran was exposed to cold weather during service which may have contributed to his respiratory issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma, right little finger disability, sinus disability, prostate disability, skin disability (other than pseudofolliculitis barbae), and tinnitus are not related to service. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus as it is reasonably shown to have begun in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to June 1, 2011 met the percentage requirements for a TDIU and her unemployability was found due to her asthma.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his knee and foot conditions, as well as asthma. The Board has remanded these matters for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently denied, but service connection for asthma has been granted. The left knee disability remains at a noncompensable rating and the scars of both feet are rated as 10 percent each.

The Veteran's asthma has not manifested to the level that would warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent since February 28, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for bronchial asthma and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The rating for the right fourth finger has been restored to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013, and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for shin splints and hyperkeratosis of the heels were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for residuals of an allergic reaction to medication was granted, but she is still seeking service connection for her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and thyroid cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and confirming any exposure to asbestos or ionizing radiation.