Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times, but new and material evidence was submitted in October 2009 leading to the grant of service connection with an effective date of October 21, 2009. The prior denials are considered due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bronchitis, residuals of pneumonia, and pleural pericarditis. However, the appellant does not have a current lung disability attributable to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to reconcile conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The claim is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of an SOC regarding his request to reopen a claim for service connection for high cholesterol, and scheduling of his hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including sleep disorder, memory problems, bilateral pes planus, respiratory disorder (bronchitis and pneumonia), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a medical opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are being remanded due to an outstanding hearing request.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of chronic bronchitis in service or that it was caused by service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For TDIU prior to April 21, 2011, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's death and its relationship to his service-connected conditions, including whether any of these conditions were a contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a private psychiatrist and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestos-related lung disease, including atelectasis and residuals of asbestos exposure, is related to his service. The decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as bronchitis and COPD, was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center on February 18, 2012, meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of bronchitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was incurred during service and is currently shown. The Board finds that the Veteran has entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any police report or autopsy report related to the Veteran's death. The appellant will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not granted.