Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, to include chronic bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis has been reopened and is granted. The appeal is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma and a respiratory disorder other than asthma (including COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) due to exposure to chemicals and/or jet fuel. The Veteran's military occupational specialty was fuel specialist, which may have exposed him to these substances.

The Veteran's appeal for the claim of service connection for gastric ulcer has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. His PTSD is granted a higher rating to 70 percent, effective May 23, 2011. The other conditions (urinary condition, bronchitis, urticaria) have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, chronic bronchitis, and a psychiatric disability were denied in January 2004. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at January 7, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 20 percent for his ankle sprains and major depressive disorder with anxious distress are remanded.

The Veteran's COPD with acute tracheitis and bronchitis is rated at 30 percent from February 10, 2010 to December 13, 2016. The issue of higher initial disability ratings for the condition since December 14, 2016 is dismissed as the Veteran's representative limited the scope of appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. The appeals for the other conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma and chronic bronchitis. The Board found that his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

The appeal for service connection of COPD has been withdrawn and dismissed. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bronchitis; gastrointestinal disorder; skin disorder of the inner thighs and under arms; and skin disorder of the feet have been remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation of his service-connected chronic bronchitis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

All pending claims for service connection and increased ratings are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent bronchitis, IBS, PTSD (prior to September 1, 2017), PTSD (from September 1, 2017 onwards), restless leg syndrome, and chronic headaches have been granted service connection. The rating for PTSD has been increased from 50% to 70%.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for breathing disorder/bronchitis, coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, headaches, and psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset or relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for bronchitis and ischemic heart disease secondary to asbestos exposure, and left knee disability are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hip disorders, bronchitis, pulmonary vascular disease, traumatic arthritis, and TBI. The decision also includes a request for clarification on the appellant's eligibility as a surviving spouse due to potential marriage disputes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep impairment is being remanded due to its inextricability with his claims for bronchitis and left knee disability. The other issues will be addressed separately.

Service connection is granted for a left ankle disability, bronchitis, and pericarditis.,Increased ratings of 10 percent are assigned for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities.