Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed for service connection of a recurrent respiratory condition, including bronchitis.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and missing treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis and asthma. The Veteran is presumed to have been sound at service enlistment for asthma.

The Veteran's asbestosis and restrictive airway disease did not manifest with post-bronchodilator FVC of 64 percent or less, DLCO of 55 percent or less, or maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against assigning such a rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis and remanded his bilateral knee disability claim. The case is now before VA for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was granted. Claims for asthma, CFS, bronchitis, TBI, sleep apnea, COPD, and heart disorder were dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sore throat, and bronchitis are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and evaluations. The cases are pending further development.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for a back disorder is being reviewed due to new evidence received.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression, is granted.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, which has been rated at 60 percent since June 24, 2014, is now rated at 100 percent effective April 3, 2015. The Board also granted TDIU based on the service-connected respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service diagnosis of Valley Fever, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for COPD with chronic bronchitis and recurrent pneumonia, as well as TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to inadequate prior examinations. The Board requests additional examination to address the severity of his respiratory disability and its impact on work capacity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete information in the VA examination reports, particularly regarding the Veteran's pulmonary hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals regarding left hand/wrist and right ankle disabilities, as well as bronchitis and lumbar spine disability have been dismissed.,Service connection for these conditions has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right knee disability, specifically whether the current degenerative arthritis is aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Brandon Regional Hospital on March 11, 2018 is denied because a VA facility was feasibly available to provide the treatment and a full attempt to use the facility beforehand was reasonable.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis with hoarseness and voice distortion, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The issues of increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, cervical spine disabilities, lumbar spine fracture, erectile dysfunction, and SMC have also been remanded.