Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, pneumonia, and bronchitis, is related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically bronchitis. The Board has determined that the case requires additional development due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her current respiratory disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bronchitis and chronic scarring of the bilateral lungs as a result of asbestos exposure. The case must be remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and sinusitis, is denied as there is no evidence showing that any current respiratory disability was incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected COPD/bronchitis and for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and bronchitis, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to consider new evidence, including his recent complaints of patella dislocation and use of a wheelchair. The service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the current medical findings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is likely due to noise trauma incurred during military service and grants service connection for this condition. The chronic bronchitis claim is denied as there is no causal link between the Veteran's rare episodes of bronchitis and any remote incident of service. The mechanical low back strain claim is also denied, with no causal link established. Lastly, the PTSD claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and inadequate examination, requiring further development of the claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed due to withdrawal.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, lung disability (to include bronchitis and emphysema), and coronary artery disease is denied as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia are related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The Veteran's chronic asthmatic bronchitis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinus disorder, and right eye injury residuals are being reviewed.

The Board has denied the request to reopen claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder characterized by bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, sino-bronchitis, and/or flu syndrome; polymyositis with rhabdomyositis; and microcytic anemia. The underlying service connection claims are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestosis with chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma and bronchitis did not manifest during service or within a reasonable time frame thereafter, and there is no medical evidence linking current diagnoses to his military service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and treatment records from Rodriguez Hospital and Damas Hospital in Puerto Rico. The Veteran will also be provided a notice letter explaining what evidence is needed to substantiate his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that there was no asbestos exposure in service and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current COPD and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, claimed as spot on lungs and bronchitis was denied because the evidence did not establish a link between his current respiratory symptoms and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis was granted, and he is now rated at 100% effective March 26, 2009. Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 10% rating.,For scoliosis of the lumbar spine, the Veteran's claim resulted in a grant of an increased rating to 100%, effective from September 18, 2006.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.