Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the cases of COPD, Asthma, Bronchitis, and Residuals of Chicken Pox due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records show treatment for respiratory conditions while in-service, but no specific diagnoses. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with one related to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic bronchitis and tension headaches has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and chronic bronchitis due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his time in active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic adjustment disorder) due to in-service asbestos exposure. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is REMANDED.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and remanded the issues of service connection for cervicalgia and bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various disabilities, including elbow, cervical spine, thoracic spine, wrist, hip, knee, bronchitis, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's attorney argues that the VA examiner did not consider all relevant evidence and applied an overly high standard of certainty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis and a bilateral foot injury due to additional evidence being added to his file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchitis and knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of severe impairment. The claims are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is related to smoke or toxin exposure during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including chronic bronchitis, due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a broken bottom tooth, right side of mouth due to lack of evidence of a current disability. The claims for digestive and respiratory disabilities are remanded as the Veteran's lay statements suggest possible presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf War presumption. Right shoulder, back, neck, and herniated sphincter of diaphragm disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction for further development. The skin cancer and chronic bronchitis service connection claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disease, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a respiratory disability (bronchitis), with no specific effective date provided.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and requires new examinations to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's bronchitis disability, as well as whether any heart condition is related to his service-connected bronchitis. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for his service-connected COPD and SMC based on housebound status, which covers the entire appeal period.