Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for elevated PSA, hyperlipidemia, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and chronic bronchitis have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or in applicable presumption periods.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bronchitis with right pneumothorax, postoperative on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his respiratory disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and pulmonary function testing.

The Veteran's hypertension and bronchitis do not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings as they are currently rated. His blood pressure is well within the limits established for a 10 percent rating, and his pulmonary function tests have been normal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected TBI.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis, ingrown toenails, breathing problems, and prostate condition. The VA examiners' opinions were based on a full reading of the Veteran's claims file, physical evaluations, and consideration of his lay statements.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bronchitis. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical records, conduct an examination, and determine the nature of any lung disabilities found.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed respiratory disabilities. The issues include service connection for bronchitis, COPD, and asbestos-related disease, with no evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchitis on an extraschedular basis and TDIU, finding that the available schedular evaluation adequately compensates his disability.

The Veteran's bronchitis, chest pain, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had active duty service which supported his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed COPD and chronic bronchitis are attributable to his period of active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to determine if any respiratory disability, such as bronchitis and COPD, is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disorder, including residuals of pneumonia, bronchitis and/or asthma, as a result of his military service. The claim for testicular cancer is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for accelerated silicosis, finding that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis are being addressed as secondary to the service-connected accelerated silicosis.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including allergic bronchitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, and recurrent pneumonia as there is no evidence of a lower respiratory condition in service or for many years after service.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for hearing loss, as the Veteran did not experience acoustic trauma during service and there is insufficient medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military noise exposure. The claims for residuals of pneumonia and bronchitis were also denied.