Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being reviewed again, as is his respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bronchitis due to a lack of medical opinion addressing his in-service exposure to inhalants. The Veteran is encouraged to provide any additional records from Dr. C.K.T.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis has been assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation, and the Board finds that this is not sufficient to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for nerve damage to the left side of face and eye, color blindness in the left eye, bronchitis, right collarbone condition with nerve damage, hemorrhoids, and acquired psychiatric conditions are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran’s lumbar strain and degenerative disc and joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, respiratory disorder (bronchitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic constipation) have all been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2013 rating decision, which assigned separate disability ratings for chronic bronchitis and OSA. As a result, the Veteran's combined disability rating from 70% to 60% is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for throat, eye, left shoulder, left ankle, ulcers and polyps, and respiratory conditions due to missing development. The VA examinations were not conducted as scheduled or completed, and there are conflicting opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and a respiratory/lung disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right elbow bone spurs, left elbow bone spurs, and a respiratory disability (bronchitis) due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his elbow disabilities and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims. The claim for bilateral pes planus is granted, but the other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Gulf War examination and insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding her respiratory issues during service. The claim will be reconsidered with a supplemental examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and the complexity of the matter. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, is being evaluated for qualification as a 'medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness'.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis with wheezing is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and other respiratory disabilities, including exposure to asbestos in service. The Veteran must be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for low back disability, respiratory disability (to include bronchitis and asthma), prostate cancer, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear etiology and insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not entitled to increased ratings for his tinnitus, hyposmia, and hypogeusia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition to include sinusitis and bronchitis, finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, sleep apnea, and COPD, as well as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate July 2015 C&P examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed for potential connection to in-service exposure through shower steam.