Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases of sinus tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma for further development to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and rating for chronic bronchitis with COPD and collapsed lung is denied. The earliest effective date for the award of service connection is January 15, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and chronic bronchitis are granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bronchopneumonia with chronic bronchitis has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent. The claims for service connection for other conditions were denied, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to its complexity.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media is denied. The issue of service connection for a chronic lung disability, to include bronchitis, due to service-connected bilateral otitis media, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and skin disability due to exposure to herbicides, as there is insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or direct service connection.,The Veteran's claims were previously denied in April 2013, but were reopened in December 2013. The claims are now being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infection of the tonsils, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, shin splints, hemorrhoids, retracted testicle, and low sex drive have been granted. Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018 for bilateral foot bunions and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding no evidence of asbestos exposure or related disability.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, hepatitis C, and bronchitis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed respiratory disorder is related to in-service asbestos exposure, as the previous examinations and opinions did not fully address all relevant evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal, including those related to respiratory disorders and sleep apnea. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and COPD due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability including recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis as it began during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and GAD) is granted as service connected. The respiratory condition (including bronchitis and pneumonia) and hernia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and service connection for lung disability and left foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD due to Agent Orange exposure, as the VA examinations provided were inadequate. The Veteran's service records show treatment for chronic bronchitis during service, but no further documentation until 1994. The examiner must provide a reasoned opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure.