Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is withdrawn. Service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder is denied, and the case is remanded for further development regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bronchitis due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's recurrent bronchitis is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically asthma and bronchitis, is rated at 30% from July 26, 2011 to March 2, 2017. From March 3, 2017 onwards, the rating has been increased to 100%. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disorders is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a variously diagnosed respiratory disorder, including histoplasmosis, bronchitis, COPD, and bronchiectasis, finding that there is no probative evidence to warrant such a determination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than 40 percent prior to August 25, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.,Service connection for lung disability other than pharyngeal cancer (to include chronic bronchitis and emphysema) due to in-service herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis has been rated at a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology and resolution of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service-connected conditions or any exposure during Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current lung conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) for loss of use of both legs and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities other than those indicating that he has loss of use of both legs.,The Veteran is also granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).,However, the Veteran's entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) remains pending as it requires a higher level of care which has not been determined.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, cataracts, and lower extremity arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD. The examiner is requested to provide an etiology opinion regarding whether these disabilities are related to military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disabilities and their connection to service, particularly his service-connected pleural thickening and/or plaques.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, rhinitis, and asthma as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, asthma, COPD, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and reactive airway disease.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bronchitis (including asthma), and GERD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities were not shown to have had their onset in service or be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the hypertension claim. Service connection was also denied for chronic respiratory disorder, GI disorder, and OSA due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.