Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an increased rating for hearing loss. The decision did not address the issue of herbicide exposure or grant any new ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and upper respiratory disorders did not have their onset in service or due to exposure to asbestos, cold weather, demolition debris, or other environmental hazards. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for eye disability, bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but the status of his tinnitus claim is unknown.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including sarcoidosis, chronic bronchitis, a chronic stomach condition, and a low back condition. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings on all issues except the initial rating for dermatitis of bilateral upper extremities, which resulted in a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected respiratory disability is being remanded due to the lack of a September 2012 VA examination report and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his current diagnosis and treatment needs.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 50 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU. The claims for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy, bronchitis, swelling of joints in the upper extremities, sleep apnea, and low back disorder are all denied. Service connection was reopened for atrial fibrillation with hypertension and mitral valve insufficiency and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. W.D.G. at Sr. Nursing and Rehab Center.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that none of his claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic asbestosis or bronchitis related to service, and his chloracne is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. The tinnitus was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate development of the evidence.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with COPD, now including pulmonary hypertension, is rated at the maximum (100%) under DC 6600.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for cervical spine disability were also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder, a chronic disorder characterized by chest tightness with a loss of blood circulation, or an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset during his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to his military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage Parkinson's disease with the underlying cause being acute broncho pneumonia- lungs with emphysematous final anatomic diagnosis / autopsy. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to his exposure to mustard gas during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including headache disorder, right hip disorder, respiratory disorder, skin disorder, and abnormal hairiness. The appeal will be considered again after these examinations.