Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis due to exposure to burn pits during active duty in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current diagnosis is chronic bronchitis, and he was exposed to burn pits while serving in Kuwait. However, the VA examinations did not consider all potential exposures, including fine particulate matter from other sources.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis and COPD were initially manifested during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and headaches are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his conditions, including PFT results.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw all pending appeals.

The appeal for service connection for heart disease, including ischemic heart disease is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a respiratory condition claimed as chronic bronchitis is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for non-allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea with insomnia and bronchitis, migraine headaches, and a skin disorder in the area of face, head, and back have been granted. However, his claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination under the PACT Act. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with insomnia and bronchitis as secondary to service-connected sinusitis are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cataracts, sleep apnea syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Veteran's bronchitis and restrictive lung disease are granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his military service in Iraq.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and right big toe trauma have been denied. The Veteran also has a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the claim for an increased rating for tinnitus remains at its maximum allowable level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The gastrointestinal, upper respiratory, knee, hip, and foot disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for all issues related to service connection, as the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or use the proper form for her claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his allegations of disabilities, with some issues being remanded for further review.

The Board has restored service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis are presumed to have been incurred during active service due to exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myelodysplastic syndrome, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 18, 2022, until his death on October [REDACTED], 2023. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis based on the evidence showing functional limitations due to these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal, excluding a temporary total rating period from January 30, 2024, to February 29, 2024.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for Hashimoto thyroiditis, asthma, and acute bronchitis due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied. The remaining claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis with chronic cough, anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, acid reflux with nausea, benign prostatic hyperplasia with voiding dysfunction, kidney stones, cervicalgia, lumbago, sciatica, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral elbow epicondylitis, a left knee condition, and right knee strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including sinusitis and bronchitis (also diagnosed as asthma), is being remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion to address his exposure to burn pits in Korea during service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for chronic bronchitis is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting evidence.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability, as well as for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, are also remanded.