Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis disabilities due to a duty to assist error in obtaining VA treatment records. A VA examination is also required.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating of chronic bronchitis and service connection for blood clot in leg, secondary to asbestos exposure due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is rated at 0 percent, as the FEV-1/FVC test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective April 3, 2017. The other issues were denied as the earliest possible effective date is April 3, 2017.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease/pulmonary fibrosis with chronic bronchitis is granted at a 30 percent rating since March 6, 2024. Service connection for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS is also granted.

The Veteran's death claim was not timely reviewed, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, tonsilitis, emphysema, COPD, gastritis, granulomatous disease, leukemia, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, respiratory cancer, and multiple myeloma. The reasons provided include a lack of evidence supporting the presence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than noncompensable, his right knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 16, 2019 or 30 percent from September 1, 2020, and he failed to establish service connection for chronic bronchitis (COPD), fungal infection, left knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disorder, or diabetes.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective May 28, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to various conditions, including trochanteris pain syndrome, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, asthmatic bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, migraines, and a bulging disc. The Veteran withdrew her appeal through her authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of bronchitis and cardiomegaly and chronic organic heart disease due to a lack of VA examinations, outstanding medical records from USAH Nurnberg Germany, and procedural errors in adjudicating the claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of March 30, 2017. The Board granted an effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, asthma, and bronchitis. Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions are considered to be more likely caused by her history of chronic smoking rather than her military service.

The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis are remanded due to inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis as there is no current diagnosis of bronchitis and the evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to unclear medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracic spine disability and respiratory disability, including bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased disability ratings for various knee, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions. Service connection was granted for hypermobility syndrome but denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bronchitis due to new and relevant evidence received after the April 1983 rating decision. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability that meets VA's criteria for hearing loss.