Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating from 30% to 10% for restrictive lung disease, effective October 1, 2012. The remaining claims are addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his respiratory disorders, including sleep apnea, asthma, bronchitis and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. His TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis cannot be adequately evaluated using the objective findings of pulmonary function testing, and therefore, a higher initial evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's COPD with chronic bronchitis was granted a 10 percent rating effective September 23, 2015. The initial compensable rating for prior to that date remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining VA examinations regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric condition, bronchitis, and right leg condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, and a bilateral foot condition were previously denied. The current evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the procurement of relevant medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all issues listed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. D.J. and any other private or VA providers who have treated the Veteran's bronchitis since October 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, strep throat, right knee cyst, left inguinal hernia, chronic right foot disorder (gout or bunion), and chronic left foot disorder (gout or bunion) as well as respiratory disorders. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, encompassing his previously service-connected chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, and allergic bronchospasms. Separate ratings for these conditions are not warranted as they are rated under a single 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The issue regarding reduction of compensation benefits due to incarceration remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for a head injury, lymphomas/lymph node enlargement, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia/high cholesterol, dermatitis, hypertension, and bronchitis.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU due to one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more, and his cognitive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.