Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic bronchitis due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical opinions. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 1, 2002. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the grant of individual employability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and bronchitis are not related to service, including any potential asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of tuberculosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis were denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria, and the evidence does not establish a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 18, 2009 do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. §§ 17.1000-1008 due to lack of emergency treatment and other eligibility requirements.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current asthma and bronchitis are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, bronchitic asthma, and industrial asthma, is related to his service in Southwest Asia during Desert Storm. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's bronchitis and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bronchitis due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's competent medical evidence supports a finding that his current bronchitis is related to his in-service exposure, and thus he is granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, conjunctivitis, lumbar strain and spinal degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, hypertension, bronchitis, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis with right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with emphysema, residuals of pneumothorax, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and bronchitis. The Veteran was found not to have these conditions during his active duty or at any time thereafter, based on a lack of medical evidence supporting their existence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's bronchitis has not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, including as caused by cold weather exposure during his active duty in Korea. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for asthma, bronchitis, and headaches. She also requested to continue the appeal regarding a right hip disorder in the context of withholding a pay allowance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and right hand injury residuals due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to in-service injuries or conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis related to her service. The claims for increased ratings for left wrist degenerative joint disease, cubital syndrome of the left wrist, and gastritis and GERD with IBS are denied as there is no evidence of current disability or aggravation of pre-existing conditions.