Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory disorder is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's respiratory disorder is proximately due or caused by, and aggravated by, any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is granted service connection for this condition.,Issues regarding asthma and chronic bronchitis have been remanded due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 6600.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and respiratory disorders is reopened, but the appeal remains on remand due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's subungual onychomycosis was found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service and has continued since then. The respiratory disease (acute bronchitis) and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current bronchitis and his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for right hand finger laceration, residual scar is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted after September 2005.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the respiratory condition. The claims for service connection, TDIU, and SMP are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims are being remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and skin disability, due to in-service exposure to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s assertions of in-service herbicide exposure and provide VA examinations to determine the dates of initial onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and his respiratory disability, specifically bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pneumothoraces, bronchitis, and pleurisy, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and central nervous system disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding VA medical records and need for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and remanded all other issues due to insufficient evidence of improvement in his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary condition, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rhinitis, and bronchitis, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board will request an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot injury has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for hemangioma and chronic bronchitis have also been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For service connection claims for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, pulmonary crystal on lung, and acute bronchitis due to herbicide exposure, further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including histoplasmosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his variously diagnosed respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including OSA, PLMD and RLS, lung disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU from November 28, 2017.