Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for left hamstring and bronchitis disabilities, as well as dizziness, fainting, speech impairment, and bilateral hand tremors. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or after military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, recurrent upper respiratory infections (URIs), and allergic rhinitis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is rated at a noncompensable level, while his migraines are now rated at a 10 percent level effective from the date of decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital was denied because the care provided did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding no evidence of a current respiratory disorder related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and an opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her permanently and totally disabled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bronchitis, finding no current evidence of the condition and concluding that his allegations were not competent to establish a diagnosis.

The Board has denied service connection for neck (cervical) disability, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's residuals of a left hamstring strain and left upper trapezius strain, muscle aches, fatigue disability, and recurrent acute bronchitis are all found to be related to service.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bronchitis is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the December 2015 remand directives and thus, the case is being returned for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, and bronchitis. The effective dates are set at August 20, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that her current COPD and bronchitis are less likely related to in-service events or conditions.

A 10 percent disability rating is granted for DJD status post right fifth metacarpal, effective November 15, 2012. The Veteran's atrophy of the right testicle remains denied.,The issues of service connection for chronic bronchitis, tonsillitis (secondary to bronchitis), epistaxis (frequent nose bleeds), and heart block (secondarily related to GERD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to service-connected asthma due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are directly related to service or aggravated by service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was initially denied prior to September 17, 2015. From September 17, 2015 onward, a 10 percent rating for the condition is granted.