Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis with right pneumothorax, postoperative does not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and affording the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, reopening the claim and finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service illness. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the petition to reopen his diabetes mellitus and leukemia claims was also denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or any other basis for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or treatment for bronchitis during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board is considering both the petition to reopen and the CUE claim for residuals of pneumonia. The original denial was based on lack of evidence of chronic conditions, but new service treatment records suggest reconsideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and compensation are no longer before the Board.