Asthma Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma does not render him unemployable due to the severity of his disability.

The Board denied service connection for a psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction in August 1970. The veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has requested additional VA examination to determine if an increased evaluation is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected disc degeneration, L5/S1, was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective July 1, 2000. His allergic asthma and chondromalacia patella (left knee) were not rated higher.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disability. The issues of initial compensable evaluations for hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, cervicitis with dysplasia, right foot disorder and stress incontinence will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, which contributed substantially or materially to his death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is not addressed as the primary issue has been resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death, but it is not established that the veteran's death was related to symptoms experienced during captivity.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted by the Board in July 1999, effective April 28, 1999. The earliest evidence of record indicating that his service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment is a medical statement dated on April 28, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, bronchial asthma, and a skin condition as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claim for pension benefits due to non-service connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the extent of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to events in service and granted his claim. The asthma claim was also granted, but without a specific rating assigned.

The Board denied increased evaluations for bronchial asthma, gout, and hiatal hernia. The veteran's service-connected conditions are evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage to other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, which was first noted in service and identified on a VA examination in July 1998, had its inception during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma and COPD were not incurred or aggravated during service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions worsening in service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to establish a connection between these disabilities and service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, effective April 7, 1999. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma, and the December 6, 1956 rating decision denying service connection did not constitute clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's asthma, low back disorder, vaginitis and vaginal infections, and residuals of a C-section are all found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required to comply with the VCAA, including obtaining service medical records and other relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchial asthma is remanded due to incomplete development of his claims file.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's asthma was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the initial ratings assigned for hypertension, bronchial asthma, postoperative residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy with a history of perirectal abscess, and frostbite of the fingers are appropriate.