Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol dependency and tobacco dependency have been denied due to the absence of legal merit. The claim for chronic bronchitis is remanded.,Service connection will be granted if the evidence demonstrates that a current disability resulted from an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and chronic cough due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including any exposure to burn pits or herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical spine disability was dismissed due to improper docketing under the Appeals Modernization Act. The appeals for bronchitis, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability were all granted based on new evidence received since previous final decisions.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 9, 2017 for the award of a TDIU and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 35.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. Claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and a cardiac disability are denied.

The Veteran's right little ring finger disability is not rated higher than zero percent.,The Veteran's left ankle disability and psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TMJ disability, bronchitis, and heart disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for recurrent bronchitis, diabetes mellitus type 2, prostate condition, and thyroid condition are being addressed.

The Veteran's rating for chronic bronchitis was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable (zero) percent, effective November 24, 2020. The reduction was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with bronchitis and asthma was denied in February 2007, but he appealed the decision. The Board granted service connection effective from February 6, 2006, and increased the rating to 60% effective May 14, 2012. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for COPD with bronchitis and asthma, but this was denied.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the Veteran's rating for bronchitis with allergic rhinitis is dismissed.

The appeal of the right wrist disorder claim is dismissed. The claims for cervical and/or lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus Type II (DM II), respiratory/pulmonary disorder other than asthma and allergic rhinitis, cholecystectomy disease, and body joint pain are all granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied because the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's BHL, right foot pain, and hemorrhoids are remanded for further evaluation.,Right foot pain is remanded for a VA examination.,Hemorrhoids are also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disability, allergic sinusitis, and left ischial tuberosity bursitis as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, COPD, and sinusitis due to a lack of VA examinations in support of these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bronchitis and right knee joint pain as secondary to a service-connected condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal in July 2024.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the initial denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that her current disability is due to in-service exposure to burn pits and other toxins during her service in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar. The appeal was also granted based on a presumption of soundness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, right shin splints, chronic bronchitis, and neck condition due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic risk activities is also being requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as to the timeliness of his January 2019 notice of disagreement for the April 2016 notification of a March 2016 rating decision, which granted service connection and increased ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from caring for himself and protecting himself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.