Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's asthma is granted as it meets the presumptive service connection criteria for a Persian Gulf War veteran.,Chronic bronchitis and left knee arthritis are both found to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, left knee and hip disorders, as well as chronic bronchitis, urinary hesitancy, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea prior to specific dates. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions that address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, left ankle sprain, PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the left hand and TDIU are remanded due to need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, and residuals of meningitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for his respiratory disability, GERD, lipoma, allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, dizziness, and low back condition. The examination is also necessary to address the impact of toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) on these conditions.

The reduction of the disability rating for bronchitis with sleep apnea from 100 percent to 50 percent (later increased to 60 percent) was proper, and the claim for restoration is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical records.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, colitis, and pneumonia. The remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse, lower back condition, heart condition, joint condition, hypertension, headaches, abnormal weight loss, and chest pain are remanded due to conflicting evidence and incomplete information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death, and if his cardiovascular disease was related to military service exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is incomplete and remands the case for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asthma and COPD (to include bronchitis) due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is related to service, including presumed exposure to fine particulate matter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened and granted. The claims for fibromyalgia, chronic bronchitis, a sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied.,The Veteran's diagnosed migraine headaches are secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma and including bronchitis, is related to service. Updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the evidence being in equipoise regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability, including chronic cough (also claimed as bronchitis and rhinitis), is granted based on the evidence showing it began during service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for right knee instability and chronic bronchitis, effective October 1, 2017. The restoration is based on evidence showing no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, secondary to hepatitis C is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (to include COPD, chronic bronchitis, and chronic cough), bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and diabetes mellitus type II are not supported by the evidence. The appeals have been remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a disability rating of 50 percent. The claims for respiratory, skin, and nail disabilities are remanded due to insufficient opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted prior to August 10, 2022. Service connection for hepatitis B and a respiratory disorder (claimed as respiratory insufficiency, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and sleep apnea) are denied. An initial rating higher than 60 percent for renal insufficiency is denied prior to March 5, 2020.