Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis due to inadequate examinations, and a need for another VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a lumbar spine disability, and a respiratory disability. The issues have been remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Baptist Easley Hospital on February 14, 2016 are denied because the condition was not an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability ratings for service-connected conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lehigh Regional Medical Center on March 10, 2016 are denied as the treatment was not for a condition of such severity that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, bronchitis, and asthma, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, gastroenteritis, epididymitis, dermatophytosis, tinea versicolor, headaches, plantar fasciitis, and plantar warts have been denied as there is no current diagnosis for any of these conditions.,For the right elbow disability, a compensable rating prior to July 15, 2013, has been denied. A 10 percent rating was granted beginning July 15, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including exposure to asbestos and other chemicals. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no continuity of symptoms. The claim for left knee condition was reopened, but the Board found that there is not enough evidence to establish a causal relationship between the current condition and in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The respiratory disability issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there has been a deterioration since his last examination in August 2013.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current respiratory disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied service connection for a respiratory condition. The low back disability claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, and various extremity disorders due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection are also being remanded for a VA examination regarding peripheral artery disease and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received from his reserve service. The conditions include a right hand disorder, chronic upper respiratory disorders, TMJ disorder, intestinal disorder, and bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and are not otherwise related to service. Service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor, and allergic rhinitis is also denied as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic fatigue, sinus disability, respiratory disability (bronchitis), cardiac disability, bowel disability, gastric ulcer disability, sleep apnea, and headaches. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure. The pulmonary disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD with history of pneumonia and bronchitis rated at 60 percent is not sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his disability does not render him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment.