Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2014

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchitis with bronchiectasis, right lower lobe due to the lack of evidence showing specific disability criteria met.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to have had its clinical onset during his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is service-connected. The claims for polysubstance abuse, traumatic brain injury residuals, low back disorder, and bronchitis are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in hearing officer and the Veteran's request for a new hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and TBI were denied. Service connection was granted for cervical spine disability with a 10% rating effective July 16, 2009, and lumbar spine disability with a 10% rating prior to November 28, 2011, and a 20% rating thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and in-service pneumonia.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran submitted lay statements and VA/VA records, but these were deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the severity of his pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including patellofemoral arthralgia of the left knee, gastritis and GERD, bronchitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle arthralgia, and left hip strain, do not render her unemployable due to her disabilities. The Board finds that she is capable of performing more sedentary employment.

The Veteran's bronchitis, diagnosed as asthmatic in nature, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased disability evaluation for bronchitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal problems. The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to appear at a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma has necessitated intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids, and his FEV-1 was less than 40 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent at least once during the appeal period. The Board finds that a rating of 60 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, specifically bronchitis. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an otolaryngologist examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bronchitis is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's medical expenses at West Marion Community Hospital for bronchitis were not authorized by VA and thus, payment or reimbursement is denied.