Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bronchitis and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bronchitis, as the post-bronchodilator FEV-1 predicted value of 94% was consistent with a noncompensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6600. For bilateral hearing loss, service connection was denied due to lack of audiometric findings meeting criteria for a grant of service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to a lack of confirmed periods of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training in the Appellant's record. The appeal was also remanded for further development regarding characterization of the Appellant's service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for bronchial asthma with recurrent bronchitis is denied as the rating criteria do not permit separate evaluations for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process and requires additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for various conditions, but further evidence is needed due to missing service records.

The Veteran's service connection for pleurisy, bronchitis, and interstitial lung disease is granted due to exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and hydraulic fluid in service is considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,An initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his service-connected OSA with asthma and bronchitis, left knee osteoarthritis and synovitis, right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion in both knees, and right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion were remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including chronic cough and acute bronchitis, is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current respiratory disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits and other airborne chemicals during his deployment to Honduras. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and difficulty breathing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including emphysema and COPD, do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 24, 2019. The restoration of a 100 percent disability rating for lung cancer effective July 1, 2020 is granted. However, the Board has also determined that there was an error in discontinuing the 100 percent rating and remands are necessary to provide a VA examination as required by the regulations.

The Board denied service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD and other service-connected conditions, finding no nexus between the appellant's OSA and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and chronic bronchitis did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 50 percent. The disability was rated based on the need for a CPAP machine.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bronchitis, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension have been granted. An earlier effective date of August 19, 2018 has also been established for the 10 percent evaluation for posterior malleolus fracture of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or lung condition (chronic bronchitis) and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,There was no evidence of chronic diseases such as sinusitis or chronic bronchitis during active duty service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.