Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and reopened the claims of service connection for hip disability and pulmonary disorder (to include bronchitis and asthma). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his in-service treatment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchitis.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development due to the need for service personnel records and unit history documentation related to his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a jaw disorder and there is no competent medical evidence linking any diagnosed jaw disability to service. The claim for service connection for a jaw disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic bronchitis due to new evidence presented by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, clarification of evidence, and consideration of new medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis and chronic lung disease to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are not related to his service, including any exposure to asbestos or other harmful substances.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims of service connection for skin cancer, fatigue, sleep disturbance, short term memory loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis and emphysema.

The Veteran's lung disorder claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's recurrent bronchitis is found to be incurred in service, while the respiratory disorder as a result of mycobacterium szulgai is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's asbestosis with chronic bronchitis was rated at 60 percent from April 11, 2012. The previous ratings were denied.

The Veteran's lung disorders are not considered to be related to his active service, including exposure to asbestos. The Board has determined that the current lung conditions are more likely due to smoking.

The Board determined that the Appellant's preexisting asthma existed prior to his entry into active service and was not aggravated by military service. The Board also found no evidence of COPD being caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and respiratory disability (including asthma and obstructive lung disease) were incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claims for schizophrenia and genital herpes, but denied service connection for both conditions. The bronchitis claim was granted based on new evidence submitted since the May 1992 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a DRO hearing and, thereafter, a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for recurrent bronchitis and hemorrhoids are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA respiratory examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for residuals of herbicide exposure, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been granted. His claim for migraine headaches has not been reopened. The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and insufficient consideration of the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.