Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issue of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma is remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for bronchitis (also claimed as obstructive airway disease) and remanded other issues due to outstanding records and need for further development.

The Veteran's asthma and bronchitis are granted service connection, with the asthma being granted due to new evidence showing it existed prior to service and was aggravated therein. The bronchitis is granted as secondary to the already established asthma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and sleep apnea have been denied. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low blood cell count, respiratory disorder, swelling of the extremities, back disorder, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, bladder disorder, IBS (bowel disorder), dental disorder, and schizophrenia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is now remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition, and it is considered a symptom of her service-connected psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain and bronchitis are both remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, as well as hypertension and erectile dysfunction (to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus), are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the lack of evidence for the period between December 14, 2010 and February 28, 2012. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pulmonary condition, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 is found to be the primary cause of his COPD, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and hypertension. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 has been granted at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran had a chronic respiratory disorder during active service or within one year of separation from active service, nor was it presumed to have so been incurred.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected respiratory disorders and PTSD, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no in-service injury or event leading to these conditions. The claim for bronchitis is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected pneumonia.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and has determined that the Veteran is entitled to this benefit due to the evidence presented, including a VA examination confirming a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a fractured tooth (number 9), loss of teeth.