Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for liver cancer and bronchitis due to procedural issues and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions were not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA medical opinion to clarify the Veteran's current respiratory diagnoses and determine if any pre-existing sinusitis, hay fever, or asthma were aggravated during service. The issues of TDIU prior to June 15, 2011 and SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the respiratory condition claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for chronic bronchitis with COPD is granted, effective April 6, 2014. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability prior to December 14, 2016, is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for throat cancer and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so they will be addressed together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory condition, including bronchitis, as it found no current diagnosis of such a condition and insufficient evidence to link any diagnosed condition to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with chronic bronchitis is not considered an inhalation injury, and therefore does not qualify for special home adaptation benefits under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis (secondary to chronic tonsillitis), tracheitis (secondary to chronic tonsillitis), and bronchitis (secondary to chronic tonsillitis) have all been denied as there is no probative evidence indicating these conditions were incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, and bilateral foot condition (plantar fasciitis) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's bronchitis is being reviewed again for proper determination of its etiology.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals and related respiratory issues are rated at 30 percent prior to December 18, 2015. The Board has remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and polycythemia vera.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis), left shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung problems, specifically his obstructive pulmonary disease. The VA examiner will need to review all relevant chest x-rays and CT scans beyond 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The decisions on these issues are pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected respiratory disability was denied. The current rating of 60 percent is maintained as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and TDIU prior to February 29, 2016. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for periodontal disease (claimed as gingivitis) is denied because it is not a compensable disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's right knee disorder and digestive disorder, to include pancreatitis and cholecystectomy residuals, are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for the digestive disorder (claimed as pancreatitis and cholecystectomy residuals) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding Department of Defense treatment records not being obtained.