Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic bronchitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression have been granted. The effective date of the grant is January 7, 2013.,Service connection has also been granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy with a rating of 10 percent effective February 26, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and also denied his petition for an increased rating for bronchitis. The decision did not address any exposure basis or PACT Act provisions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a tongue/salivary gland disorder is denied due to lack of a causal link between service and the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder is remanded as the VA examination report did not provide an opinion on whether his current muscle tension is related to complaints in service.,The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders (bronchitis and sinusitis) are remanded due to inadequate examination, including failure to consider the Veteran’s history of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's claim for a stomach disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a current disability or a causal link between service and the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder is remanded due to inadequate examination, including failure to provide an opinion on whether his headaches are related to complaints in service or a preexisting disorder that was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a causal link between service and the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and lung disability (including pneumonia, bronchitis, shortness of breath) have been granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injury, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis and GERD), bronchitis, essential benign tremor, and bladder dysfunction. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with atopic asthma and chronic bronchitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, respiratory disability, and kidney disability are all under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition, diagnosed as keratitis sicca, dry eye syndrome, and meibomian gland dysfunction, is granted service connection. The Veteran's asthma is denied service connection. The Veteran's upper respiratory infection (chronic bronchitis) and status post hysterectomy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic headaches and respiratory disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain SSA disability benefits information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or anxiety disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another VA examination.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and urinary incontinence. The Veteran's claim for reopening of his heart disorder is denied. Service connection for these conditions remains denied.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.