Citation Nr: 18155469
Decision Date: 12/04/18	Archive Date: 12/04/18

DOCKET NO. 16 57-135
DATE:	December 4, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for asthma is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The evidence of record demonstrates that it is likely the Veteran’s currently diagnosed asthma was incurred during active service.  
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for asthma have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310 (2017).
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from July 1978 to July 1982.  
In May 2018, a Board hearing was held before the undersigned.  A transcript of the hearing is associated with the Veteran’s claims file.  
Entitlement to service connection for asthma 
The Veteran asserts service connection for asthma.  STRs document a visit in February 1980 with a diagnosis of asthma.  
VAMC records show treatment for asthma, with a formal diagnosis first being made in October 2012.   
At a July 2014 VAMC visit, the physician noted the Veteran had a history of asthma for several years starting in service.  His asthma was due to work with motor pool fumes and other chemicals, to include chemical weapon training.   
According to a private treatment record from July 2014 Dr. W. L. of Temple Allergy Clinic, the Veteran had asthma, with a note of onset being 1980.  
A May 2016 VA treatment record documents moderate persistent asthma.  The provider noted the Veteran’s asthma was persistent and had progressed since military service.  He was undergoing immunotherapy, and taking multiple medications.  The examiner noted his allergic rhinitis was likely present during service, and by exacerbated his asthma.  
In June 2016 the Veteran was afforded a VA examination.  The Veteran reported asthma that began during service.  Treatment records show a history of asthma.  He reported daily shortness of breath and chest tightness.  He takes albuterol, Singulair, Allegra, azelastine, ipratropium, and Symbicort.  His asthma condition required chronic low dose of corticosteroids, and intermittent courses or bursts of systemic corticosteroids.  Chest x-ray results were normal.  Pulmonary function testing was done, with pre-bronchodilator results being FVC 65%, FEV-1 68%, FEV-1/FVC 85%, and post bronchodilator being FVC 65%, FEV-1 61%, and FEV-1/FVC 76%.  The examiner indicated environments high in airborne allergens and sudden temperature changes can aggravate the Veteran’s asthma symptoms.  Strenuous activities such as running and heavy lifting would likely aggravate asthma symptoms.  An opinion for direct service connection was not given.  The examiner opined that it is less likely than not that asthma is proximately due to or the result of the Veteran’s service connected conditions.  The examiner stated asthma can be aggravated by allergens that cause inflammation and difficulty with breathing however asthma is not caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, or pharyngitis.  These conditions may have the same root cause that being an allergic response to allergens, but one is not caused by the other.    
At the May 2018 Board hearing, the Veteran testified to experiencing asthma during service, and first being treated following discharge in the late-1980s.
A May 2018 statement from VA physician Dr. C. shows his findings that the Veteran’s asthma is related to service.  Dr. C. stated that during service the Veteran had an incident of asthma, and that asthma for most individuals is a chronic syndrome that spans decades.   
The Veteran has consistently reported asthma since service.  There is a positive medical opinion linking his asthma to service.  The VA physician’s May 2018 opinion is the most probative evidence in addressing whether the Veteran’s asthma is related to service.  Service connection for asthma is warranted. 

 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	E. Skiouris, Associate Counsel