Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.,There was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in Korea, and the Veteran did not have a presumptive claim based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and upper extremity disorders, as well as his respiratory disorder (to include bronchitis), are on appeal. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions based on service connection theories including direct service connection, chronic undiagnosed illnesses, and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, and entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's bronchitis with mild obstructive disease required outpatient oxygen therapy prior to March 16, 2017. The Board requests a medical opinion to determine the earliest date this was necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of a respiratory condition, including as due to exposure to burn pits and chronic scarring lung disease. The specific nature of the Veteran's respiratory condition is unclear.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's claims for right hip disability, right ankle condition, bronchitis, skin disfigurement due to surgical scars, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including affective disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of certain exposure factors. The issues include asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a pulmonologist and podiatrist regarding the Veteran's pes planus and chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bronchitis and costochondritis are granted. The Veteran's MS with neurogenic bladder is rated at 40%.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD and/or chronic obstructive lung disease, as well as whether it is related to his bronchitis or other respiratory conditions. The claim will be further evaluated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The TDIU claim is also denied as he has engaged in substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran's hypertension, headaches, sinus disorder, bronchitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed because his lung cancer, which he has been rated at 100% since February 6, 2013, renders him totally disabled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left elbow condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, vision disorder (myopia), sinusitis, and bronchitis. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right elbow condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, impacted or malposed teeth, chronic pain syndrome, and lower back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, folliculitis scars on the face, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and bronchitis have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for paresthesia in the right foot and toes is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder chronic pain is also remanded.

The claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any chronic lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions. The case is sent back for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, and loss of sense of smell are reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis, finding that the current COPD is causally related to his service-connected bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for obesity is dismissed. The claims of service connection for CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted to the extent that new evidence has been received supporting these claims. Other issues remain pending.