Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and COPD due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability including recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis as it began during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and GAD) is granted as service connected. The respiratory condition (including bronchitis and pneumonia) and hernia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and service connection for lung disability and left foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD due to Agent Orange exposure, as the VA examinations provided were inadequate. The Veteran's service records show treatment for chronic bronchitis during service, but no further documentation until 1994. The examiner must provide a reasoned opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchitis, are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's current severity of his rhinitis and any associated respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and exposure history.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, with the exception that the Veteran's symptoms of acute bronchitis have not been shown to result in functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and left-hand peripheral neuropathy, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment. The Board granted this claim.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin condition are denied. The issues of service connection for these conditions, as well as the TDIU claim prior to September 6, 2016, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being reviewed again, as is his respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bronchitis due to a lack of medical opinion addressing his in-service exposure to inhalants. The Veteran is encouraged to provide any additional records from Dr. C.K.T.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis has been assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation, and the Board finds that this is not sufficient to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for nerve damage to the left side of face and eye, color blindness in the left eye, bronchitis, right collarbone condition with nerve damage, hemorrhoids, and acquired psychiatric conditions are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran’s lumbar strain and degenerative disc and joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, respiratory disorder (bronchitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic constipation) have all been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2013 rating decision, which assigned separate disability ratings for chronic bronchitis and OSA. As a result, the Veteran's combined disability rating from 70% to 60% is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for throat, eye, left shoulder, left ankle, ulcers and polyps, and respiratory conditions due to missing development. The VA examinations were not conducted as scheduled or completed, and there are conflicting opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and a respiratory/lung disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.