Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for bronchitis and costochondritis are granted. The Veteran's MS with neurogenic bladder is rated at 40%.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD and/or chronic obstructive lung disease, as well as whether it is related to his bronchitis or other respiratory conditions. The claim will be further evaluated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The TDIU claim is also denied as he has engaged in substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran's hypertension, headaches, sinus disorder, bronchitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed because his lung cancer, which he has been rated at 100% since February 6, 2013, renders him totally disabled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left elbow condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, vision disorder (myopia), sinusitis, and bronchitis. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right elbow condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, impacted or malposed teeth, chronic pain syndrome, and lower back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, folliculitis scars on the face, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and bronchitis have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for paresthesia in the right foot and toes is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder chronic pain is also remanded.

The claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any chronic lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions. The case is sent back for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, and loss of sense of smell are reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis, finding that the current COPD is causally related to his service-connected bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for obesity is dismissed. The claims of service connection for CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted to the extent that new evidence has been received supporting these claims. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis and bronchitis for further development as there is insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraines, tremors (initially claimed as stroke residuals), sinusitis, respiratory disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and right hip disability are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and her military service.,Specifically, the VA examiner's opinions on the causes of migraines and tremors were inadequate. The examiner did not address the Veteran’s lay statements about symptoms during and since active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, hallux valgus of the right big toe, GERD, respiratory disorder, chronic sleep disorder, and left shoulder disability due to a lack of service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and headaches related to these conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset and aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of current respiratory disability.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, with the condition being presumed under the provisions of the PACT Act (Patient Care and Treatment Act).,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) are remanded as they may be related to service. The claim for alcohol dependence secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, with the issue being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its onset during active duty or post-service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder claim is remanded as it may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to cooperate with VA examinations and provide pertinent records. The claims include PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disability (bronchitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective date for the current ratings remains April 26, 2016.