Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 2, 2020. The combined rating of his conditions was at least 50% but never reached the level required for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and compliance with prior remand directives. The issues of service connection for a male reproductive organ disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the male reproductive organ disorder), a right hip disorder, a right ankle disorder, and bronchitis are all being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic bronchitis (claimed as upper respiratory infection) prior to February 11, 2019, and a rating in excess of 10 percent on and after that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating based on PFT results.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding the Veteran's lung conditions and their relation to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and chronic bronchitis due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision regarding service connection. The Veteran's history of respiratory issues, including asthma and chronic bronchitis, is noted from childhood onwards. Service records indicate treatment during active duty but no pre-existing condition prior to service is noted. The Board will need to determine if any increase in severity was due to natural progression or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory conditions and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for the awards of benefits sought on appeal are not established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dyspnea, chronic cough, and respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), as well as TDIU prior to April 15, 2015. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA examinations and medical opinions.

Service connection has been withdrawn or dismissed for several conditions. Service connection is granted for depression and anxiety disorder, with a 40% disability rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's shortness of breath and his military service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify this issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right heel spurs, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary issues, hypertension, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, bilateral tinea pedis, a disability of the lumbar or thoracic spine (upper back strain), and a headache disorder (migraines). The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for melanoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to potential exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient opinions regarding these conditions.,The Veteran's hypertension is also being remanded as there are no adequate VA examination records available for review.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is not presumed sound as to these conditions, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether they are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's statements of symptoms during service are considered credible, and the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, OSA, respiratory disabilities including vasomotor rhinitis, pansinusitis, and bronchitis are found to be related to service. The heart arrythmia is not considered a disease or disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD. The VA examiner was directed to consider the Veteran's statements about his symptoms during service and since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with prior remands, specifically regarding an extensive web search for medical literature submitted by the appellant in September 2011. The Veteran's representative also raised an alternative theory of entitlement based on service-connected schizophrenia causing tobacco use and subsequent respiratory disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, as his current diagnosis is related to his conceded in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, respiratory disorder (claimed as bronchitis), and lumbar spine disorder need further examination and medical opinion to determine their etiology. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.