Asthma Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and bronchial asthma, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service, including herbicide exposure.

The VA medical examiner found that the veteran currently suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, but did not find a direct link to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and right knee disability were denied. The VA determined that the veteran's asthma did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 30 percent rating, while his right knee disability was found to be adequately rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder with pain, leg symptoms and sciatica, as well as COPD, asthma and bronchitis. The Board found that a chronic back disorder was not manifested during or within one year after service, nor is there competent evidence relating current back disorder to service. For COPD, asthma and bronchitis, the Board concluded that they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to his military service, including due to asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The case is returned to the RO for further action, including a VA examination.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,His asthma is also rated at 30 percent. The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung disability, including asthma and allergy, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of asbestos exposure during active duty.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's exercise induced asthma, currently evaluated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizoid personality disorder, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and major depression and insomnia. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including arthritis of the right shoulder and both wrists, low back disorder, neck disorder, chronic acquired eye disorder, tinnitus, allergies, asthma, unspecified disorders related to asbestos and radiation exposure. The claims are all denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are not etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, visual impairment, rhinitis, and headaches. The claim for asthma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Visual impairment, refractive error, is considered a non-disability for VA compensation purposes. Rhinitis and headaches were not shown to have had onset during service or be related to undiagnosed illnesses.

The case is being remanded for additional medical evaluation and records review to determine the appropriate rating for the veteran's bronchial asthma.

The Board found that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for a pulmonary disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

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

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and PTSD are granted as service-connected due to exposure during his Vietnam-era service. The asthma claim is remanded for further examination.

The veteran's initial ratings for his left knee and bronchial asthma were granted, but he is still seeking higher ratings. The left knee was rated at 10 percent prior to September 15, 2005, and as of November 1, 2005. His pseudofolliculitis with keratosis pillaris remains at 10 percent, while his bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to asbestos or other conditions that could be linked to these disabilities.