Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the lack of evidence for the period between December 14, 2010 and February 28, 2012. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pulmonary condition, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 is found to be the primary cause of his COPD, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and hypertension. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 has been granted at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran had a chronic respiratory disorder during active service or within one year of separation from active service, nor was it presumed to have so been incurred.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected respiratory disorders and PTSD, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no in-service injury or event leading to these conditions. The claim for bronchitis is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected pneumonia.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and has determined that the Veteran is entitled to this benefit due to the evidence presented, including a VA examination confirming a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a fractured tooth (number 9), loss of teeth.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for COPD, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis. The claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bronchitis, and pharyngitis. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with insomnia was rated at 50%.,The evidence did not support the claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires additional information from the Veteran's service personnel records, private treatment providers, and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide any necessary assistance in obtaining these records.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, asthma, and COPD due to lack of a causal link between the current disability and active military service. The Veteran's hammertoe disabilities were also denied as there was no evidence of claw foot or hammertoe across all toes on either foot.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral refractive error of the eyes, residuals of hyphema of the right eye, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder (bronchitis), sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis), and dental disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The appeal to reopen a service connection claim for bronchitis is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Veteran's bronchitis is rated at 30 percent and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his respiratory conditions, and determining the etiology of his acute bronchitis.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Asthma, and Chronic Bronchitis as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.