Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, to include as residuals of exposure to mustard gas and/or asbestos during active service, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed exposure.

The Veteran's lung condition/bronchitis claim is pending, as the Board has not yet made a determination on this issue.,The Veteran's left ankle condition secondary to service-connected right ankle sprain claim is pending, as the Board has not yet made a determination on this issue.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a low back disability, bronchitis, or sleep apnea disability that are etiologically related to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and bronchitis were not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review, particularly regarding her service connection claims for various respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and respiratory disorder have been found to be related to active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and granted it. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found that the Veteran's inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, which was diagnosed and treated during his military service, has remained inactive since approximately 1962. There is no evidence of a current disability related to this condition or any additional disabilities such as bronchitis and emphysema.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for bronchial asthma with intermittent bronchitis and post-operative giant cell tumor of the right third finger were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service connection for hepatitis C or any other condition, and thus denied all claims.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including bronchitis and an undiagnosed illness, was incurred during service. His chronic neck disability, specifically a cervical strain, also developed due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any lung disability. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to clarify whether post-service diagnoses of bronchitis and sinusitis are acute infections or chronic diseases related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, is not related to service and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and asthma and chronic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders (sinusitis, chronic allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis) are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea; a respiratory disorder, to include bronchial asthma and bronchitis; recurrent tonsillitis; and loss of vision. These conditions are found to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected conditions, as well as an assessment of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic bronchitis with COPD, frostbite injuries to both feet, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left hip arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were granted effective September 27, 2002. His claim for tinnitus was granted effective August 17, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis) is not related to service, but reopened her claims for lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence. The claim for bilateral foot disability was also reopened.