Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchitis and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's disability picture did not more nearly approximate the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 6600, and concluded he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his migraines and mental health issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current respiratory disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for bronchitis has been received. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, PTSD, bronchitis, migraines, left knee tendonitis, tinnitus, right knee tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis are service-connected. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma and bronchitis, and their relationship to his service-connected PTSD with anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to chronic bronchitis. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bronchitis, COPD, pleurisy, and pneumonia. The appeal for a skin disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence of his functional and work-related capabilities during the period from January 27, 2009, to January 26, 2010. The AOJ must obtain missing records and provide a VA examiner with relevant information.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's conditions include strokes, transient ischemic attacks, memory loss, fibromyalgia (claimed as Desert Storm Syndrome), chest pain, joint pain and swelling, hemoptysis, hypertension, neck pain, mouth sores, body sores, migraines, sleep disorder, fatigue, sinusitis (claimed as nose bleeds), bronchitis (claimed as shortness of breath). The claims are related to service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are granted service connection.,Service connection for fatigue disability, vesicular dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, joint pain, and muscle pain is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with herbicide exposure due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided another opportunity to report for these examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent throughout the claim period.,Service connection is granted for a neck disability, chronic bronchitis, prostate cancer, right and left knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Entitlement to service connection for GERD is remanded due to lack of VA medical records prior to 2010 and private medical records prior to 2005.,The Veteran's groin disability claim is remanded as the May 2012 VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, as well as further clarification on the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for depression, GERD, a skin rash, and bronchitis due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension was reopened but not granted as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis (also claimed as COPD and emphysema) is remanded, along with his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after further adjudication.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service connected, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, and common cold.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent under the rating criteria for chronic bronchitis. The Board found that his FEV-1/FVC was between 71 and 80 percent, consistent with a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's depression, allergic rhinitis, and fibrocystic breast disease are not service-connected.,The Veteran's lower respiratory disorder (COPD, asthma, bronchitis) and menstrual disability (amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) require further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right lung carcinoid tumor with pneumonectomy. The lung disability claim remains pending and will be remanded for further development.