Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his service or the service-connected hepatitis C, and thus he cannot be granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, respiratory disorder including asthma and COPD, hypertension, and hypertensive cardiovascular or arteriosclerotic heart disease were denied as the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal of an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for asthma has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the claim as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to exposure to noise during combat.

The Veteran's respiratory condition is not due to, or the result of, Agent Orange exposure and was not proximately caused or aggravated by any other incident of service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims for various conditions, but the claims are all denied as the appellant did not provide credible evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical evaluations for her service-connected bronchial asthma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The issues of a compensable evaluation prior to June 10, 2004 and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning June 10, 2004 for service-connected bronchial asthma are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's respiratory disability including COPD and asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is likely to have had its onset during his active duty. The issue of service connection for asthma remains pending and will be addressed in a future remand.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, due to asbestos exposure. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the current respiratory disorders began in service.

The Board has remanded the case for recalibration of the Veteran's radiation dose estimates and further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the service-connected bronchial asthma, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The evidence shows that the Veteran's asthma requires daily use of inhaled corticosteroids and had two episodes of acute respiratory distress requiring steroids.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including sarcoidosis and asthma, was granted. The decision is based on the merits of his claim without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to service, attributing it instead to his history of tobacco use. The left knee disorder was also not linked to service connection as it was more likely due to a work-related injury and not related to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and partially granted the claim for increased rating for asthma. The issue of whether a TDIU benefits claim was raised by the record is addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request.