Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD as there is no evidence of a current respiratory condition related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of back, shoulder, knee, foot, bronchitis, vision, and arm disorders are being reviewed.

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, back disability (lumbago), hypertension, and right elbow condition.,Pending further development: Service connection is being considered for recurrent sinusitis, recurrent bronchitis, right eustachian tube dysfunction, left eustachian tube dysfunction, right metatarsalgia, and left metatarsalgia.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis, was found to have existed prior to service. The VA examiners concluded that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service but continued to cause symptoms similar to those experienced before service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, are related to his active duty military service. The VA medical opinion is inadequate for informed appellate review due to its focus on asbestos exposure rather than the in-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The claim to reopen a respiratory disorder has been granted, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain a proper medical opinion regarding the etiology of his respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues, lack of adequate medical opinions, and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain service clinical records of the Veteran's inpatient treatment at Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his lung or respiratory disorder, which includes chronic obstructive bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right shoulder impingement syndrome were previously denied, but new evidence was submitted that did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The claim for an effective date earlier than January 27, 2010, for obstructive sleep apnea with bronchitis has been withdrawn. The Veteran's TDIU and increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea with bronchitis have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obesity, colon cancer residuals, chronic bronchitis, actinic keratosis, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes. The other issues are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain disability is rated at a 30 percent rating since August 1, 2011.,The Veteran's upper respiratory infection (bronchitis) does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including chronic bronchitis and granuloma, due to incomplete medical opinions in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, migraines, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, and insomnia have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for asthma, which will be decided on the merits.,Right (dominant) elbow arthritis, lateral epicondylitis, and tricep tendonitis are found to have their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam is remanded. The Board finds that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on January 11, 2016, at Timber Ridge Munroe Regional Medical Center due to his reported coughing and shortness of breath. The Board found that this constituted a medical emergency under prudent layperson standards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (claimed as bronchitis), an acquired psychological disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate or incomplete examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ulcerative colitis/proctitis, hypertension, bronchitis or sinus disorder, and vertigo due to potential issues with evidence submission and examination scheduling.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic obstructive sleep apnea and bronchitis with calcified hilar lymph node, as well as right knee arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding diagnoses and etiology.