Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV related illnesses and chronic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to his military service, including any potential secondary effects from his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining military personnel records and medical records from his Air Force Reserve service, as well as a TERA examination for chronic bronchitis and asthma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use due to service-connected conditions, as there was no evidence of loss of use or anatomical loss of breast tissue. The Veteran's service-connected COPD and depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be less than 30 degrees or have manifested favorable ankylosis.,Service connection for rhinitis (sinus condition) was granted, effective from April 2023.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 21, 2022 for a 100% rating for COPD with chronic bronchitis and hypoxemic respiratory failure. The evidence shows that the Veteran's condition worsened to the point where he required outpatient oxygen therapy on June 21, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to potential exposure to burn pit activities during active duty. The Veteran's VA treatment records from April 2006 to present need to be obtained, and an examination with medical opinion may be necessary if exposure is confirmed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent for asthmatic bronchitis is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory or lung condition, including chronic bronchitis, has been withdrawn.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. The Board acknowledges the Veteran's current effective date of February 9, 2024.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with COPD and early emphysema caused his sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and chronic bronchitis, as well as a TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bronchial disability, also claimed as bronchitis and spores, has been resolved by a September 2024 rating decision of the VA which granted the claim. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this resolution.

The Veteran's bronchitis with asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 6600 and 6602.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate etiology opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and respiratory disabilities are denied. The respiratory claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation. The initial ratings for bronchial asthma with bronchitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, left carotid artery blockage status post endarterectomy, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), double bypass heart surgery with lower heart valve replacement, painful sternotomy scar secondary to heart surgery, hyperlipidemia, type two diabetes mellitus (DM-II), chronic sinusitis, recurrent colonic polyps, left middle finger condition, and left ring finger condition are also remanded.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC ratio is within normal limits and he does not require daily use of systemic corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.

The Veteran's OSA with chronic bronchitis is rated at 100 percent, effective October 2012. The rating for prior to June 10, 2015, chronic bronchitis remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), right knee disability, respiratory disease including tonsillitis, bronchitis and sleep apnea, ulcer condition, migraine headaches, skin disability, tuberculosis, and insomnia due to unclear evidence of service connection.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no current diagnosis for the claimed conditions.

The appeals for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis have been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as arthritis in knees), left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as arthritis in knees), and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Veteran's bronchitis is currently rated at 60 percent effective April 21, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.