Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as bronchitis or asthma, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board found no causal relationship between the current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's left nephrectomy was due to a congenital defect, and there was no superimposed injury during service. Service connection for the left nephrectomy is denied.,The Veteran experienced bronchitis during service but it resolved prior to separation. The current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is related to smoking rather than service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchitis and post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis, has been rated at 30 percent since September 18, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition (claimed as chronic bronchitis) due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and chronic bronchitis due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Effective March 14, 2017, service connection was granted for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPWS) associated with NHL, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) associated with NHL, and Chronic Bronchitis (CB) associated with NHL.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 8, 2012 due to his service-connected chronic bronchitis and PTSD causing frequent periods of hospitalizations that interfered with his ability to work.

The request to reopen the claim for service connection for diverticulitis previously claimed as stomach condition (gastritis/pancreatitis) is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received for service connection for a knee condition, and the request to reopen the claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically his preexisting asthmatic bronchitis and its progression during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by service, a service-connected disability, or any carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and medical opinions. The Veteran's disabilities are related to service, but the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, left hip disability, left shoulder disability, and left foot disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as the evidence did not establish that any of these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema were granted a 30 percent disability rating from February 8, 2017 to October 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, right knee disability, and service-connected disabilities. The issues include entitlement to service connection for these conditions and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Board directed the AOJ to arrange for new VA examinations for the respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, and right knee disability. Additionally, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and vaginal prolapse and rectocele.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, and now requests additional private medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle pain in the back and legs have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, but an initial compensable rating for chronic bronchitis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to issues with proper notice and development, including verifying his current address and obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for CABG residuals and an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis, as well as the issue of TDIU. The reasons include the need to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disease and December 2005 coronary artery bypass surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any current respiratory disorder diagnosed during the appeal period, including COPD and bronchitis.