Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus, lung disability (COPD and chronic bronchitis), and coronary artery disease ratings need further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary herbicide exposure, as he provided sufficient detail in his statements. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Charleston Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening her claims of service connection for lung disease, low back disability with sciatica, and gastrointestinal disability was dismissed as she withdrew the claim for lung disease. The issues of service connection for low back disability and gastrointestinal disability were reopened.

The Board denied service connection for left arm disability, right arm disability, cervical spine disability, bronchitis, and residuals of pneumonia. The Veteran's STRs do not show a current diagnosis or chronic condition for any of these disabilities.,Service connection was denied because the evidence did not establish that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including rheumatism, bilateral hearing loss, asthmatic bronchitis, fractures of fingers, and a scar. The Veteran is to be provided with an opportunity to authorize VA to obtain records from Dr. R., and a VA examination is required to address the relationship between current disorders and service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is remanded due to unclear details about the medications and other health care coverage.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bronchitis, scars and skin disfigurement, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and a pulmonary disability. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on exposure and potential secondary relationships.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left nephrectomy and chronic bronchitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA will obtain SSA records, schedule a new examination for the left kidney condition, and provide an opinion on whether the conditions are related to service or Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and service connection for chronic bronchitis. The Veteran's respiratory disability is unclear, and VA treatment records are needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, eye condition, bronchitis, tenosynovitis, bilateral shoulder condition, degenerative joint disease of the spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The appeal for service connection for a bilateral leg condition was denied, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted, and the initial rating of 10 percent for GERD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, a sinus condition with mucous cysts (claimed as allergies), and a gastrointestinal disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails and warts on feet has been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral joint condition (feet) was denied, but the decision is not final as it may be reopened with new evidence. Service connection for bronchitis is granted.

The Veteran's lung disability (to include bronchiectasis, COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) is remanded for further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, respiratory infections, asthma, and pneumonia due to new evidence submitted since the August 1990 rating decision. The claims for sinus problems and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, a respiratory condition (including bronchitis), sarcoidosis, and heart disease (including systolic murmur, grade 1 over aortic valve) due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including pneumonia and bronchitis, is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bronchitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.