Asthma Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the issuance of an SOC regarding his claim for a higher initial rating for asthma and the need to provide a supplemental medical opinion on his skin disorder. The Veteran will also be provided with another SSOC after any additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma existed prior to service but were aggravated by her active military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except the ones related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these remaining issues.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board denied an increased rating for his asthma and found that sinusitis was not service-connected as secondary to allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his asthmatic bronchitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are currently assigned the maximum schedular rating under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma has been manifested by shortness of breath, wheezing, and intermittent cough that requires inhalational bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory therapy on a daily basis. Pulmonary function test findings show no worse than FEV-1 of 56 to 70 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent predicted. The Veteran does not require monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or at least three courses of systemic corticosteroids per year, warranting no higher than a 30% rating under DC 6602.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to combat-related stressors, and his bronchial asthma is not service-connected.

The Veteran's asthma is etiologically related to his service-connected left deviated septum, status post surgery with recurrent sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and sinus headaches (claimed as a broken nose). The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that his current respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis and chronic asthmatic bronchitis, are related to service. The decision is based on direct evidence of a connection between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma was not aggravated by his service, and thus denied service connection for asthma.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of asthma, allergies, headaches, or arthritis/joint aches that are related to her active service. The claims were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the most recent VA examination shows his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC are within normal limits. Therefore, an increased rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral wrist and hand disability and respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including emphysema, COPD, and asthma, are not related to military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, a heart condition, degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine with disc herniation, L5-S1, and foraminal stenosis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to additional evidence being submitted after the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence, including the new emergency room record from April 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various respiratory conditions and related disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination regarding his claimed asthma.