Asthma Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting asthma worsened during service due to exposure to smoke from burning oil wells, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, sinusitis with rhinitis, and reduced lung capacity (asthma) were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The veteran was diagnosed with these conditions after separation from service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings of bronchial asthma and pes planus, as well as service connection for right tibia and fibula fracture residuals, hypertension, and hearing loss. The effective date for these benefits was set at August 26, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected asthma, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted prior to October 7, 1996 and that a rating in excess of 30 percent was not warranted from October 7, 1996.

The Board has restored the veteran's 60 percent disability evaluation for his chronic bronchial asthma, effective from when it was last reduced to 10 percent in December 1997.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder and respiratory disorder, to include asthma, are related to his military service. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from June 1, 1992.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma existed prior to his entry into service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral compound astigmatism, finding that it is a refractive error and not a disease or injury within the meaning of VA compensation laws. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of superimposed disease or injury resulting in aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, emphysema and asthma, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board determined that the veteran's substantive appeal from the denial of his claims for an increased rating for residuals of a tonsillectomy and service connection for asthma due to mustard gas exposure was untimely.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that his preexisting asthma did not worsen during his military service and was controlled by treatment.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, which is higher than the current 10 percent rating. The decision was based on evidence showing that the veteran requires daily inhalation therapy.

The veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation of 100 percent.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma from October 1, 1993 to December 10, 1996.

The veteran's death was not due to or the result of a service-connected disability, and his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for discontinuance of payment of benefits for a psychiatric disorder and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 are denied, as service connection was never granted for these conditions. The claim for an increased rating for bronchial asthma is also denied due to the current disability not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.