Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for compensable ratings for right ankle disability, chronic bronchitis, and hypertension can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's attorney requested new examinations due to reported worsening of his conditions since previous evaluations in 2015.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for bronchitis and sleep apnea (secondary to bronchitis) need further development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is incomplete and requires further clarification to determine if the Veteran's preexisting asthmatic bronchitis worsened as a result of physical training during service.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted. The rating for right knee disability prior to June 26, 2019 is denied. A separate rating for torn meniscus in the right knee prior to April 14, 2014 and residuals of a right knee meniscectomy from April 14, 2014 to September 30, 2019 are granted. A temporary total rating for residuals of partial right knee replacement surgery from October 1, 2019 to June 26, 2020 is granted. The Veteran's service connection for hiccups and muscular twitching (neurological tic) is granted with a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives for a VA respiratory examination, including pulmonary function tests and exercise capacity testing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability during or related to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disabilities are due to in-service events.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma/emphysema, and allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service in 1990-1991. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and right and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD due to insufficient reasoning in the previous opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right foot disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the left knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the foot fungus/skin condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for lung condition (to include pneumonia and/or bronchitis) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new one needs to be conducted to determine if sleep apnea is related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and bronchitis, and his active service or exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory conditions, status post-lobectomy residuals, sinus condition, corneal ulcers, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and testosterone deficiency due to their potential secondary nature to his respiratory condition. The appeals are pending further VA examination and/or medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's tinnitus is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (asthma, bronchitis, bronchospastic disease) is remanded due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression NOS, depressive disorder unspecified, anxiety NOS) is also remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's cellulitis claim for service connection was granted. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss, the increased rating claims for dermatitis and bronchitis, and the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus II were all denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical history. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not considered a disability for VA purposes, and service connection for bronchitis remains in dispute.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The respiratory disability claims are denied as they were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the right knee, sarcoidosis, lung damage/chronic bronchitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and congestive heart failure (CHF) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA), and a VA examination for each condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include bronchitis, finding that his current condition is not causally related to his active duty service.