Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis and sleep apnea, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and sleep apnea are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, a respiratory disability (including asthma and obstructive chronic bronchitis), and left eye amblyopia have been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete reasoning and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for revision of two prior rating decisions related to bronchitis with persistent coughing and asthma are being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in the AOJ's handling of both claims.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent prior to July 9, 2021 and at 40 percent thereafter. The right ankle condition was rated at 10 percent prior to October 3, 2017 and at 30 percent from March 1, 2018. The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with asthma was rated at 10 percent prior to July 9, 2021 and at 30 percent from July 9, 2021 to January 30, 2022.,The Board denied the claims for increased disability ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating beyond what was already granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and their relationship to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents and tear gas.

The claim of service connection for heart murmur has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for bronchitis (upper respiratory infection) is remanded as the Veteran's condition was not evaluated in detail.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and his respiratory disorders, specifically bronchitis and COPD. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether CAD causes or aggravates these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, is now granted.,The Veteran's right foot disability (pes planus), left foot disability (pes planus), right ankle disability (chronic right ankle sprain), and right hand disability (carpal tunnel syndrome) are all now granted. The Veteran's COPD claim remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's body pain, hemorrhoids, dry eye syndrome, and stomach hernia were not incurred in service.,Service connection for bronchitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and his service, particularly herbicide exposure. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and a duty to assist error. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied. His claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic undiagnosed multisystem illness (fibromyalgia), increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to restore a 60 percent rating for bronchitis, as her condition improved and does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 6600.

The Veteran's chest pain, GERD, COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to service.

Service connection for lung cancer and COPD is granted on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act. Service connection for other respiratory conditions, including chronic bronchitis, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.