Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right hip disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examinations.

The appeal for service connection for a neck disorder is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for bronchitis and sinusitis.,Other claims have been denied or are pending, including those related to the Veteran's arms and wrists.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's pulmonary disability, including bronchitis.,Service connection for allergies is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remanded claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, sinusitis and rhinitis, but has remanded the claims of chronic bronchitis and reactive arthritis due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, bronchitis, and a left shoulder disability. The right knee degenerative joint disease claim was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of hearing loss disability within one year post-service.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain is denied as the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for such an increase.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma is denied due to lack of findings meeting specific pulmonary function criteria.,Pension purposes are granted with a permanent and total disability rating based on multiple medical conditions rendering the Veteran unemployable.,Service connection claims for pharyngitis, gastroenteritis/gastritis, migraines, residuals of facial injury, GERD, bronchitis, tendonitis, right foot disability, residuals of infections, shin splints, mononucleosis, neurological disorder, conjunctivitis, primary anemia, and acquired psychiatric disability are all remanded for further review.,The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions will be reviewed again based on new evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema due to in-service asbestos and carbon toxin exposure. The decision is based on a positive nexus opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability (characterized by the RO as thoracotomy, status post left pneumothorax) for accrued benefits purposes due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis and asthma, finding that his current respiratory disability did not have its inception during active service and is not otherwise causally related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis are found to have been incurred during service, as is his migraine headaches. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, but denied service connection for urticaria, angioedema, and bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and asthma. The VA opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents and tear gas.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including atelectasis of the left lung and bronchitis, is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board has found that the January 2020 VA examination opinion was inadequate for deciding the claim. Therefore, a remand is necessary to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, chronic bronchitis, and skin ulcers due to incomplete records and potential exposure to toxic herbicides in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examinations were not conducted as scheduled, and there is no evidence that the Veteran was properly notified of these appointments.

The Board denied the claims to reopen for service connection of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma, chronic rhinitis, and pharyngitis, finding that there is no evidence in the STRs supporting these conditions during active duty.