Asthma Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting asthma was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including scoliosis, left leg length discrepancy, bronchitis with reactive airway disease (asthma), and coronary artery disease (CAD) are not related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, asthma and COPD, an enlarged prostate, impaired sensation in the left side and foot, and allergic rhinitis have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition during service or at any time thereafter. There is also insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD. For the back disability, asthma and COPD, and enlarged prostate, the record does not show a diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions in service or within one year after discharge. The claim for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a pulmonary disability, which he claims as asthma associated with primary atypical pneumonia during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain and consider all relevant medical records and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced a continuity of symptoms since service and provided sufficient evidence to support these findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for her right tibia disability, as there was no evidence of malunion or incapacitating episodes of sinusitis. Regarding asthma, the VA examination results raised doubt about its current existence but did not link it to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder and asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is now pending.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking any disability, including schizophrenia, to his death. The appellant provided additional statements and medical records but these did not provide new or material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including providing the Veteran's representative with an opportunity to review the claims folders and complete VA Form 646 or equivalent. The case will also be recertified to the Board.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since March 2002. The most recent pulmonary function tests have shown FEV-1 ranging from 68 to 92 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC ratio ranging from 67 to 98 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6602.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently manifested by symptomatology requiring daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, L5-S1, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain.

Effective October 20, 2007, the Veteran's bronchial asthma is rated at 60 percent, reflecting the need for intermittent systemic corticosteroids and FEV-1 of 75 percent predicted. The allergic rhinitis remains at its maximum schedular rating due to lack of exceptional factors such as frequent hospitalizations or marked interference with employment. The deviated septum does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Chronic headaches are not service-connected, but the claim for PTSD is reopened and new evidence submitted raises reasonable possibility of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between his current sinusitis and asthma diagnoses and his service.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and asthma, finding that the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's asthma and asbestosis claims were denied on the merits. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's asthma is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic pneumonia are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his National Guard medical records.