Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis with allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from in-service bronchitis.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for asthmatic bronchitis or asthma, as there is no credible evidence showing such conditions began during active duty and are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 6, 2009. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU are also set to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy are related to his service-connected bronchitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hearing loss of the right ear. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the March 2014 VA examination and provided the June 2014 addendum. The appellant's claim will be reviewed again to determine if his residuals of a lung injury are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an innocently-acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorder. The claims for respiratory disorder (emphysema and bronchitis) and dental disorder were also denied. The Veteran's request to reopen these claims was not successful.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a link between his current lung disability and service exposure to diesel fumes and acetone while maintaining generators.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an appropriate VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lung disabilities are related to his service or any exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new PFT report and an addendum opinion from the July 2012 VA examiner. The Veteran's representative contends that he uses oral or parenteral corticosteroid medications and oral bronchodilators to treat his respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bronchitis, and as such, the claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing within 90 days of notification. The claims for reopening service connection for respiratory disabilities and hypertension are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his in-service asbestos exposure.