Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bronchitis has been granted with a 30% disability rating. The right ankle and TDIU issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment with respect to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as acute bronchitis, due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for pulmonary crystals of the lung has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, including sinusitis, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gynecological disorder and respiratory disorder. The issues of service connection for both conditions are now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, and bronchitis. The decision also found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the November 1985 and September 1987 rating decisions denying these conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, perforated right ear drum, and cervical spine disability. The remaining claims of sinusitis, respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded as well.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions do not address whether any of the Veteran's other respiratory disabilities are related to service, including his asbestos exposure. The matter is therefore remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis variant of COPD did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and other conditions are service-connected. However, several issues related to knee conditions, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), phlebitis, bronchitis, undiagnosed illness, and fatigue have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's bronchitis and COPD are related to service, particularly exposure to burn pits. The opinions must consider both the lay evidence of record and the treatise submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, chronic bronchitis, and a respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with asthma and allergic bronchitis is being remanded due to the lack of an adequate VA examination. The AOJ must obtain another VA respiratory examination that includes exercise capacity testing.

The claim to reopen service connection for bronchitis has been granted. The claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a respiratory disorder, including sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The decision on these issues is pending further review.

The Veteran's lung disability, rated at 60 percent, has not met the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or other specific findings.