Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and service connection for chronic bronchitis. The Veteran's respiratory disability is unclear, and VA treatment records are needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, eye condition, bronchitis, tenosynovitis, bilateral shoulder condition, degenerative joint disease of the spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The appeal for service connection for a bilateral leg condition was denied, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted, and the initial rating of 10 percent for GERD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, a sinus condition with mucous cysts (claimed as allergies), and a gastrointestinal disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails and warts on feet has been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral joint condition (feet) was denied, but the decision is not final as it may be reopened with new evidence. Service connection for bronchitis is granted.

The Veteran's lung disability (to include bronchiectasis, COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) is remanded for further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, respiratory infections, asthma, and pneumonia due to new evidence submitted since the August 1990 rating decision. The claims for sinus problems and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, a respiratory condition (including bronchitis), sarcoidosis, and heart disease (including systolic murmur, grade 1 over aortic valve) due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including pneumonia and bronchitis, is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bronchitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory and/or pulmonary disorder, including interstitial lung disease, interstitial pneumonia, and bronchitis, due to asbestos exposure is remanded. The Veteran also has claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU which are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic cough is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential causes of his symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his breathing problems are not. The other conditions have been denied due to lack of in-service stressors or no current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), and chronic bronchitis. The case is being remanded to obtain updated pulmonary function test results from Dr. Caparro.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further investigation and clarification of her incarceration status, as well as an audit of her pension account. Additionally, there is a need to ensure proper notification regarding her right to appeal the overpayment of $18,692.07 in pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea due to herbicide exposure as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, and provide him with a notice letter.

The Board has remanded the claims for asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to inadequate November 2015 VA examination report. The Veteran needs a new examination to clarify his pulmonary diagnosis(es) and their etiology.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for nonservice-connected bronchitis were denied because VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.