Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a low back disability, and an acquired respiratory disability to include COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, reactive airway disease with bronchitis (secondary to sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), and psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with depressed mood) have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bronchitis with bronchiectasis and depressive disorder) have rendered him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed respiratory disorder and service-connected scar of the left first finger.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, as his primary causes of death were an acute stroke and aspiration pneumonia.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis/COPD. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of new and material evidence, and no further reopening is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided, including obtaining records from vocational rehabilitation and VA treatment providers, scheduling a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the bronchitis, and considering alternative means of evaluating this disability if PFT cannot be performed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory condition and bronchitis/pleurisy, were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The exposure basis was presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided at a non-VA hospital is denied because the treatment was not for an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory complaints are not related to active military service or events therein, including any asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current pulmonary disability or chronic lung disease, and concluded that any such conditions are not related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all of her service treatment records and determining if she was exposed to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, variously diagnosed as bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis, is related to service. The bilateral shoulder disorder may not be presumed due to exposure but is considered a direct result of service. The bilateral hip disorder is not supported by evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.