Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and recurrent bronchitis with chronic cough and chest pain due to in-service exposure to burn pits.,Service connection is denied for hypotension as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathies, and skin disability. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; hepatitis C; dizziness; hypersensitivity to light and noise; diarrhea; fainting disability; sinus disability; bronchitis; GERD; headache disability; hypertension; chronic fatigue syndrome; sleep apnea; erectile dysfunction; chest pain disability; and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded for the following: obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and completing a TDIU application form; providing adequate VA examinations for sinus, respiratory, GERD, headache, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and chest pain disabilities; and providing an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current respiratory conditions to his active duty service.

Service connection for asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis is granted due to presumed exposure to environmental toxins during service. Service connection for a menstrual disability is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for chronic bronchitis and myocardial infection before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence raising additional questions. The appellant's PTSD and bipolar disorder are being reviewed, as well as her bronchitis claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, back disability, and any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, requiring a new VA opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected asthma and bronchitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD, due to potential exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is asked to review additional records and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left second finger digital nerve mononeuritis and nonlinear scar, as well as for bilateral pes planus, pseudofolliculitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic eye condition, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has found that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer. The case is being remanded for obtaining additional records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a right knee disability. The issues also include reopening of these claims based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or exposure to relevant conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, bronchitis (also claimed as respiratory complaints and shortness of breath), and bilateral arm conditions due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bronchitis and cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities. The PACT Act presumption has been applied to sinusitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, and keratoconus have been denied. The claim for a bilateral eye disability other than keratoconus is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bronchitis, and hypertension due to the need for additional VA treatment records and private medical opinions. The Veteran must provide information about any private doctors who have treated him related to these conditions.