Asthma Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance on February 20, 2020. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his asthma and hypertension were caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, the claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation. The initial ratings for bronchial asthma with bronchitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, left carotid artery blockage status post endarterectomy, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), double bypass heart surgery with lower heart valve replacement, painful sternotomy scar secondary to heart surgery, hyperlipidemia, type two diabetes mellitus (DM-II), chronic sinusitis, recurrent colonic polyps, left middle finger condition, and left ring finger condition are also remanded.

All claims for service connection related to sleep apnea, skin disability (undiagnosed illness), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypercholesterolemia, headache disability, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension/high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a subsequent Notice of Disagreement after filing for Higher-Level Review.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent effective June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with bronchial asthma, as well as separate compensable ratings for OSA and bronchial asthma, has been denied. The medical evidence does not support the need for higher ratings based on current disability levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 25, 2019, for a 100 percent disability rating for asthma as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's asthma warranted such a rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC ratio is within normal limits and he does not require daily use of systemic corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a headache disability (migraines), an increased evaluation for asthma with COPD, and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for new medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected due to exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to substantiate the Veteran's active-duty service period in April and May 1993, as noted in the Veteran's DPRIS data. The VA failed to conduct a search for records verifying this deployment.

The Veteran's pre-existing asthma worsened during her military service, and the Board has granted service connection for chronic asthma.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and remanded the claims of service connection for a stomach disability, to include GERD and gastritis, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding that the Veteran's current asthma is not causally related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition and asthma, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for dental and oral condition, chronic sinusitis, and asthma due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's complete service treatment records were not associated with her claims file prior to the August 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for asthma, IBS, diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to incomplete medical records and failure to provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's asthma and rhinitis are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Iraq. Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's asthma is presumed to be related to her exposure to burn pits during her service in the Persian Gulf War, and she has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the dates of active duty and inactive duty training.

The Veteran's SMC at the statutory housebound rate is denied as his entitlement to a higher level of SMC has not been met.