Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchial asthma and COPD, is found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, as the evidence supports a diagnosis related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and a VA examination. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ/AMC on the basis of the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Veteran's other claims for service connection have not been substantiated.

The Veteran's asthma does not warrant an extraschedular rating, and his service-connected disability does not prevent him from obtaining and retaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for sleep apnea and bronchial asthma was denied as the disability is rated under a single diagnostic code, with no authorization for separate evaluations.

The Veteran's asthma is currently evaluated at 60 percent disabling, effective April 14, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis with residual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma has been denied. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the evaluation of this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for asthma in a June 2015 written statement.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding all service connection claims.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, asthma, right knee disability, left knee disability, or back disability. The appellant's current psychiatric condition is diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder and preexisted his period of ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dysthymic disorder was denied as the earliest date of claim subsequent to the May 1979 final rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for depressive neurosis is October 27, 1989.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for dysthymic disorder prior to October 27, 1989 was denied as there is no legal basis for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, left shoulder disorder, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for asthma and hemorrhagic follicular cyst, as well as her claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, low back condition, bilateral leg/foot condition, residuals of a left elbow injury, and chest condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions or injuries during service that could be linked to the current disabilities.

All claims for service connection related to burns, kidney disorder, high cholesterol, positive tuberculosis test, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, scars, anemia, and asthma have been denied. The Veteran's skin condition is not currently diagnosed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding his pre-existing asthma condition. The case will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.