Asthma Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for bronchial asthma, which approximates the criteria set forth in the rating schedule. The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is not rated higher as there are no symptoms warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran died of heart failure, and the Board found that he did not have a service-connected disability for at least 10 years prior to his death. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability, asthma, or allergic rhinitis. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to service-connected conditions and other non-service-related factors.

The Board finds that the veteran's COPD is likely due to a chronic respiratory disorder he experienced during his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for eczema, asthma, and schizophrenia. The RO's July 2002 denial of service connection for eczema is final. As new and material evidence was not received, the claim for service connection for eczema cannot be reopened. Similarly, the November 2002 denial of service connection for asthma is final. As new and material evidence was not received, the claim for service connection for asthma also cannot be reopened. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for schizophrenia has been remanded due to insufficient information provided in the prior decision.

The veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current disability level. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, COPD and a vocal cord condition to service, including exposure to oil well fires in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of the presence or onset of these conditions during service, within a year after separation, or due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorders, diagnosed as COPD and asthmatic bronchitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's asthma, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his service. The Board denied the claims of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, conversion reaction, vertigo, myalgia, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and gastritis are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that it was not related to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma was incurred during active military service, resolving doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung condition, identified as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema, that is causally or etiologically related to military service. The veteran's long history of smoking was considered in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, an irregular heart beat, and bronchitis. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen her claims.

The veteran's obstructive pulmonary disease/airway disease/asthma/bronchitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have occurred therein, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as the submitted evidence does not link the cause of death (bronchial asthma) to service or a service-connected disability.