Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for COPD, which may be related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to February 24, 2020.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the average puretone threshold being at Level II (noncompensable).,Service connection for esophageal disorder and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were granted.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bronchitis, neck disorder, and back disorder need further development due to missing records and clarification of periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD. The case is now pending for further development and an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary conditions, including neoplasms and not to exclude asthma, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, which are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition (claimed as calcified lymph nodes and granulomas) including, bronchitis and bronchiectasis due to lack of evidence showing an in-service occurrence or close proximity to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his claimed conditions, including bronchitis, bladder dysfunction, chronic pain, cervical spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims will be further evaluated based on the results of these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for respiratory disability, to include asthma and bronchitis, and for TDIU prior to April 15, 2015. The Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are being reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if they are related to in-service events or diseases, and whether they were aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

Service connection has been granted for PTSD, MDD, and CFS.,Right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory and groin disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examiner's opinions regarding bronchitis and sleep apnea are inadequate due to deficiencies in considering the Veteran's complete medical history, including instances of acute bronchitis during service. The Board therefore remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending claims and appeals, including those related to bronchitis, dermatitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee strain, low back strain, multiple scars on the left side of body, sinusitis with headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The issues include respiratory condition, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability and a heart disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions (CVID and diabetes mellitus, type II), respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for seborrheic dermatitis, service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, respiratory disorders (bronchitis and COPD), and bilateral foot disabilities (pes planus) are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and scheduling issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and respiratory disorders (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 2004, and the effective date of service connection is being denied prior to April 29, 2014.,Claims for various foot conditions, ankle conditions, wrist condition, low back condition, knee conditions, hip condition, bronchitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema due to exposure to asbestos during his military service. The VA examinations are inadequate, and additional medical records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including as due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an additional VA examination. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion addressing the synergistic effect of all toxic exposures during his military service.