Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's asthma, tinnitus, and related conditions are now service-connected. The Board has determined that additional examinations and remands are necessary for further analysis of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions were dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's current diagnoses and outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his respiratory disability, including COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as per the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Multiple service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 26, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee condition and bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sarcoidosis and asthma due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a TERA examination.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, arthritis in the right hand, hearing loss, tinnitus, deformity of toenails, eczema, and painful scars on feet and legs are remanded due to missing military records. The Veteran may be entitled to presumptive service connection based on Persian Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for direct service connection for sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis are granted. The claim for presumptive service connection for allergic rhinitis is also granted, but the effective date cannot be earlier than August 5, 2021 due to a change in regulations. The claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory condition, to include chronic bronchitis and COPD.,The Board also denied service connection for a disability characterized by recurrent nosebleeds.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested during or after service.,Service connection for vitamin deficiency is denied because it is not considered a compensable disability and the Veteran does not have an underlying condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability ratings for bronchitis and bronchial asthma, as well as for perennial rhinitis. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss (secondary to right ear hearing loss and tinnitus) and cervical spine disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 8, 2022, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for left ankle fracture residuals was denied. However, the Board granted service connection for a respiratory condition (to include bronchitis and COPD), effective from May 22, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to lack of relevant disabilities.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the November 2022 Board remand and thus, an additional VA examination is required for both bronchitis and degenerative disc disease L4-5.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including missing STRs.