Asthma Board decisions

The Board found that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current asthma to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's anxiety neurosis is rated at 50 percent, his bronchitis remains at 0 percent, and his sinusitis is rated at 10 percent from October 1994 to October 1996. The veteran's total rating based on individual unemployability claim was denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bronchial asthma. The veteran's pre-existing condition was established, and there is no indication of aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma in July 26, 1990. The decision was based on the lack of clinical diagnosis of bronchial asthma in the veteran's service and post-service medical records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it.

The veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, with the exception of a denial for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder. The RO found that the veteran's dysthymic disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to lack of evidence showing he meets the criteria.

The VA has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected allergic bronchial asthma and increased the rating of the service-connected allergic rhinitis, allergic sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disabilities to 30 percent. The decision does not address the issue of hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pain and numbness in the upper extremities, headaches, generalized osteoarthritis (claimed as arthritis of the whole body), sinusitis, asthma, and breathing problems. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disease (including bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema) due to exposure to asbestos and porphyria cutanea tarda due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his period of service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to mustard gas during active duty.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment based on his educational attainment and occupational experience.

The veteran's pulmonary disease with bronchial asthma was granted a 60 percent evaluation prior to July 1, 1999. He is also granted TDIU status prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to mustard gas. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and asthma, finding the claims were not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence associating these conditions with military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's exercise-induced asthma was incurred during her period of service and is granted service connection.

The Board determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchial asthma, as the submitted evidence was not significant enough to change the final denial.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to recent assertions of worsening symptoms and work limitations.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected bronchial asthma, effective from October 1996. The claim was reopened due to new evidence and is now rated under the old criteria as it applies more favorably.