Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical records and a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including bronchitis.

The Veteran's increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea with chronic bronchitis have been denied as his pulmonary function tests did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's lung disorder, bronchitis, and sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's gastric ulcer (gastric disorder) and liver disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, other than his service-connected bronchitis, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current respiratory condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Veteran's bronchitis, left ankle disability, and hypertension are being remanded for further medical examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, kidney disability, eye disability (jaundice), respiratory disability, and anemia due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, hepatitis C, and PTSD. Service connection for gonorrhea is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and bronchitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating increases as well as a claim for TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during his military service in Southwest Asia. The Board has also expanded the claim to include other respiratory disabilities, but these are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that her current condition is not related to a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include bronchitis, is granted. The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a respiratory disability, to include bronchitis, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being submitted that was not previously considered by the RO. The claims include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, constipation, lumbar disc disease, left shoulder torn rotator cuff, right shoulder rotator cuff, and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and incomplete information regarding the Appellant's income and expenses. The Veteran died from respiratory failure due to end-stage COPD, but VA has not obtained all relevant medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's exposure to burn pits in Vietnam likely caused his respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for asthmatic bronchitis from May 24, 2007 to August 1, 2016 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 6600-6602. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis during this period due to the Veteran's nonservice-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lung disability is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the case to proceed on its merits. However, the case must be remanded as there are unresolved issues regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,Multiple issues related to hearing loss, eye injuries, back disorders, sciatica, foot problems, shoulder conditions, sleep apnea, hypertension, liver and kidney disorders, respiratory conditions, skin conditions, and athlete's foot have been identified. The Veteran will be scheduled for further evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic bronchitis were denied, while the claim for GERD was partially granted with a 10% evaluation effective May 10, 2017. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (GERD) and others were not (PTSD and chronic bronchitis).