Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability rating for sleep apnea with bronchitis and persistent cough is granted at 100 percent. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation (SMC) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bronchial asthma and lung conditions other than bronchial asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are currently in a REMANDED status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disorder and sleep disorder other than sleep apnea due to additional development being required. The issues are related to service connection, with exposure to burn pits in Afghanistan considered.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically whether it qualifies as a 'medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness' under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of discussion regarding potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, is related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and respiratory disorders including bronchitis and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected pneumonia with bronchitis is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated PFT results and determine if they are pre- or post-bronchodilator, and whether DLCO testing was completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her TDIU claim and other service connection issues. The Board cannot proceed with the remaining claims until this information is obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but denied service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis. The Veteran's lymph node disability is not considered a separate condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and sinus or allergy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities since at least February 16, 2016.

The reduction in the disability rating for chronic bronchitis with COPD from 60% to 0% was not proper, and a 60% rating is restored. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.,There was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in Korea, and the Veteran did not have a presumptive claim based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and upper extremity disorders, as well as his respiratory disorder (to include bronchitis), are on appeal. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions based on service connection theories including direct service connection, chronic undiagnosed illnesses, and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, and entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's bronchitis with mild obstructive disease required outpatient oxygen therapy prior to March 16, 2017. The Board requests a medical opinion to determine the earliest date this was necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of a respiratory condition, including as due to exposure to burn pits and chronic scarring lung disease. The specific nature of the Veteran's respiratory condition is unclear.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's claims for right hip disability, right ankle condition, bronchitis, skin disfigurement due to surgical scars, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including affective disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of certain exposure factors. The issues include asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a pulmonologist and podiatrist regarding the Veteran's pes planus and chronic bronchitis.