Asthma Board decisions

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 31, 1998 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected disability associated with and aggravating her service-connected ankle disorder, there was a medical emergency such that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the appellant was not entitled to recognition as the veteran's child because she had not been permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of eighteen.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, or cataracts. The veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, to include asthma and bronchitis, finding that the veteran does not currently have such a condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, based on his current pulmonary function test results and medical history.

The Board finds that the veteran's bronchial asthma is likely due to his service exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during active duty. For asthma, the evaluation remained at 10 percent as there were no findings warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lung disorder, characterized as COPD, was aggravated by his service. The evidence shows a pre-existing condition of asthma in childhood which worsened during military service.

The veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for various disabilities and adverse symptomology as a result of treatment received at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center from February 1998 to August 2001. The claims are denied due to lack of specific evidence regarding increased severity, causation by VA fault, or unforeseeable events.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's chronic bronchitis and asthma before November 28, 2000, and a 100 percent disability rating from that date. The decision is based on severe impairment of lung function.

The Board has determined that the proposed reductions in disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, and asthma disabilities were consistent with VA regulations. The veteran is not entitled to restoration of previously assigned disability ratings or increased evaluations.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, effective June 27, 2000. The claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular rating for the veteran's bronchial asthma with history of emphysema, effective October 7, 1996. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 60 percent.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for bronchial asthma effective February 22, 1992. The veteran's service-connected bladder dysfunction and obsessive-compulsive disorder were also addressed but no new ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current VA regulations. The evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on more severe impairment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary condition secondary to exposure to Agent Orange is denied as there is no evidence linking his current lung conditions with his military service or any incidents therein.

The Board has jurisdiction over the veteran's appeal regarding service connection for urticaria and an evaluation of asthma. The RO granted service connection for asthma with a 10% evaluation, but denied service connection for urticaria.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bronchial asthma and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran's current condition is believed to have originated during his active naval service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for tinnitus with vertigo, effective as of the date of decision. Service connection for asthma was denied.