Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened for sleep apnea, but denied for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and bilateral foot condition. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to insufficient evidence on the secondary nature of the condition.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing his death was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include respiratory condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear with instability is granted a rating of 20 percent effective November 18, 2013. The Veteran’s tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for respiratory condition (to include asthma and bronchitis) and bilateral eye disability (keratoconus).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung condition/bronchitis, fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness, and respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath and coughing have all been granted.,The decision acknowledges the Veteran's continuous symptoms since his military service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent evaluation for COPD and his TDIU benefits effective September 1, 2017, based on evidence showing improvement in functional capacity.

The Veteran's claims for various service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, carpal tunnel syndromes, and respiratory issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The appeals will be reconsidered based on new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service, as well as other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for a 60 percent rating for his service-connected respiratory disability, to include asthma, COPD, pulmonary emphysema, and bronchitis, is remanded due to procedural issues. The AOJ must consider all applicable diagnostic codes in its analysis.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a sleep disorder, has been granted. The issue of service connection for bronchitis is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's service records are to be obtained, as well as relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and chronic bronchitis due to deficiencies in the VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection is being reopened based on new evidence submitted since the final denial in January 1995.

The Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a connection to service or asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder (claimed as chronic bronchitis and decreased pulmonary function) and atrial fibrillation claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.,The Veteran's atrial fibrillation claim is remanded if mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in service is diagnosed.

The previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD rating and service connection for GERD and chronic bronchitis is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his symptoms and evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis. The claims of increased rating for common variable immune deficiency with anemia, mycoplasma infection with asthma, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, and TDIU are all remanded.