Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diagnosed respiratory disorders of COPD, chronic bronchitis, and asthma are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and TDIU has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and facial hyperhidrosis have been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on presumptive exposure to particulate matter during active duty.

The Veteran's bronchitis and tremors are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service, specifically herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma have been granted. The claim for service connection for COPD, as secondary to the two previously established conditions, has been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection for COPD and asthma is granted, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their potential impact on each other.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disability (bronchitis), and benign essential tremor due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained in August 2021 were inadequate and remanded for additional development. The claims are now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD as these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was granted, while his claim for service connection for bronchitis was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lung disease, claimed as bronchitis, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current condition and his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically asthma and bronchitis. The Veteran contends that her current respiratory issues are related to service, but a VA examiner found it less likely than not that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's request for a higher disability rating for his service-connected sleep apnea and asthmatic bronchitis is denied. The discontinuance of the separate 30 percent rating for asthmatic bronchitis due to CUE in the June 2008 rating decision is also denied.

The Veteran's bronchitis was granted service connection, while his heart disability (supraventricular tachycardia) was denied. The Veteran received a 20 percent rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease.,Service connection for bronchitis was established based on in-service diagnosis and no evidence of pre-existing condition or aggravation. Service connection for the heart disability could not be established due to lack of current symptoms.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer was granted a 20% rating. The claims for service connection for allergies, bronchitis, COPD, and GERD were all denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for a right ring finger residual scar is denied, as the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, stroke, bronchitis, and right knee injury and numbness are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his bilateral elbow disability, hypertension, respiratory disorder (including asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's respiratory disorders are related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents.