Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2013

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, which the Board has remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic respiratory disorders (chronic bronchitis and COPD) are not related to his service.

The Veteran's bronchitis has been rated at 10 percent since February 26, 2005. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to review the additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bronchitis is currently evaluated at a 60 percent rating, which meets the criteria for this level of disability based on his symptoms and medical findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for asthma and pes planus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to errors in the previous rating decisions and incomplete evaluations. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluation for otitis media and an increased evaluation for asthmatic bronchitis with recurrent laryngitis and bronchopneumonia are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by pulmonary embolism with infarct of lungs, which is not service-connected. The chronic lung problems and mental disability were not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a pulmonary disorder presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions, including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, body strain of the chest and abdomen, and an extraschedular rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for acid reflux and allergies/rhinorrhea.

The Board has granted service connection for vocal cord dysfunction, status post tonsillectomy and treatment of tonsillitis, and chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. The onset of these conditions is attributed to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA pulmonary/respiratory examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his complete service personnel records and to provide a VA examination for gastrointestinal disorders. The issues of entitlement to service connection for the claimed conditions are pending.

The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of bronchitis and concluded that the Veteran's COPD/lung condition is less likely than not due to his military service. The Board finds this opinion highly probative.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue of burial benefits in excess of $300.00 is without jurisdiction.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and granted service connection for bronchitis. The claims of service connection for bronchiectasis, GERD, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disorder, erectile dysfunction, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records of any period of INACDUTRA in August 1977 and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's obstructive lung disease with bronchitis.