Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disorders, viral infection of the lungs, and bronchitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to obtain SSA disability records. The claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and inconsistencies in previous opinions. The Veteran's pulmonary disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on their onset during service and any relationship to his in-service environmental exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service and that his symptoms are more consistent with bronchitis.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory conditions (bronchitis, asthma, and OSA) are currently rated as a single disability under the criteria for sleep apnea with asthma and chronic bronchitis associated with allergic rhinitis. The Board found that separate ratings for these conditions are not warranted due to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.96(a).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, bronchitis, sinusitis, and OSA due to inadequate examination opinions regarding herbicide exposure. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether each condition is related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran who served in active military from October 1962 to December 1964.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pulmonary condition, including his service connection for a pulmonary condition. An additional VA examination and opinion are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's conditions in light of his military service, exposure to herbicides, contaminants from his occupational duties as a weapons mechanic, and toxic exposures at Carswell Air Force Base.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis and asthma, are directly related to her active duty service. The evidence shows she received treatment for these conditions during service, which supports a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to schedule him for a DRO hearing. The claims are being remanded.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not adequately comply with the October 2022 Board remand and thus, the cases are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left forearm, and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The respiratory disability claim is also remanded as it may be related to Gulf War service exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities. The Veteran maintains service connection for a respiratory disability, which he asserts developed during his active service and persists today.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for medical expense reimbursement for non-VA emergency room visits on April 2, 2012 and April 15, 2012. The visit on May 27, 2013 was also granted.,The Veteran sought medical assistance due to worsening symptoms of chest pain, atrial fibrillation, sore throat, shortness of breath, sinusitis, and bronchitis at non-VA facilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected mild anemia or chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition and exposure history. A new VA examination is needed, including a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) specific examination.