Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for respiratory disorder, heart disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for these conditions based on asbestos exposure, noise exposure, or as aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the lack of DLCO (SB) test results, which was part of the January 2022 remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung condition, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any such conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorders, lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted service connection. The hypertension claim is denied.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder) is granted based on in-service stressors and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence does not support a showing of chronicity in-service or continuity after separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. The Veteran served in Vietnam but his military records do not confirm this. The VA is directed to conduct further research and obtain a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's COPD with chronic bronchitis is granted as presumptively due to exposure to specified substances, chemicals, or airborne hazards while serving in Kuwait. The cardiac condition and scar claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and bronchitis has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bronchitis is granted as secondary to her service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied due to lack of a causal relationship with her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and bronchiectasis has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim. The issue of service connection for chronic sinusitis is also remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to a failure to provide notice of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion, requiring further development of the claim for service connection for lung conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory condition, including COPD and bronchitis, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorder began during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied. The initial ratings for PTSD are granted at 70 percent since July 18, 2013 and the TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2013. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and service, particularly his reported asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis and asthma, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his presumed asbestos exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis as there is no current diagnosis of bronchitis in his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disorder and associated radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU prior to September 11, 2014, are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last SSOC.