The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected reactive airway disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 4, 2012 and did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent on or after December 4, 2012.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's reactive airway disease was manifested by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) of less than 56 percent of predicted value; the ratio of FEV-1 over forced vital capacity (FEV-1/FVC) of less than 56 percent; monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations; or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids prior to December 4, 2012. As of December 4, 2012, the Veteran's reactive airway disease was not manifested by FEV-1 of less than 40 percent of predicted value; the ratio of FEV-1 over FEV-1/FVC of less than 40 percent; more than one attack per week with episodes or respiratory failure, or daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.
- Claimed conditions
- Reactive Airway Disease (Asthma)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1441999
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1441999.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder injury, tender scars, asthma, and sleep apnea disabilities were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was not working due to his service-connected conditions but returned to work.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for asthma, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hypertension have been denied. The VA has determined that the current levels of disability do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome remains in dispute and requires further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's asthma was granted a rating of 30 percent effective February 13, 2006. The previous ratings were maintained for the earlier periods.
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