Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another VA respiratory examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a chronic respiratory disability (emphysema and recurrent bronchitis), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted.,Evidence showed the Veteran had continuous symptoms of these conditions since separation from service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the initial compensable rating for bronchitis, now diagnosed as COPD, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his legacy appeal and the subsequent opt-in into the modernized review system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, as he served at the base for over a month. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding whether each of the claimed conditions are related to this exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's conditions are presumed related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's inhalation bronchitis rating was restored from 30% to 30%, effective April 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA pulmonary examination to assess the Veteran's lung cancer residuals and any related disabilities. The issues of service connection for a pulmonary disability (including bronchitis and shortness of breath) and entitlement to TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with the reduction rating issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of STRs and need for additional medical opinions based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his respiratory condition, bilateral eye disorder, and gastrointestinal disability. The cases are being sent back for further examination as the Veteran did not appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic alcoholism, and acute bronchitis and asthma have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection cannot be established because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran’s diagnosed alcohol dependency is also not considered a compensable condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues related to service connection, including bronchitis, heart disability (WPW Syndrome), hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, peptic ulcer, hernia hiatal, and glucose intolerance.

The Veteran's lung disability (COPD, asbestosis, chronic bronchitis) is granted service connection. The Veteran's sinus disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are considered credible but not competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The decision also includes remand items for further review and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected. The right, low back, and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disability. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically bronchitis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of chronic respiratory disability or diabetes mellitus during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for right leg deep vein thrombosis, lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and bronchitis with pulmonary vascular disease are being remanded due to the failure to comply with prior Board directives.