Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for recurrent tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchitis is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent for recurrent tinnitus has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and ensuring proper notification.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than bronchitis is still pending. The rating for bronchitis has been granted with a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, and the Veteran requested an increased rating. The left wrist disability remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic respiratory condition and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service-connected disabilities or otherwise related to service. The claim will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence, including the January 2008 private medical opinion from Dr. Garganta.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis, COPD, and restrictive lung disease, is being remanded due to insufficient development of the record. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to deficiencies in the December 2010 VA examination report and the need to address the Veteran's theory of service connection based on in-service exposure to solvents.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition has led to secondary hip, back, and respiratory conditions. The Board granted the claims for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities were not manifested in service and are unrelated to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis were incurred in his Persian Gulf service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand weakness and respiratory disorder (bronchitis) due to lack of evidence of current disability. The other issues were also denied, with some being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a hydrocele (also claimed as a testicle condition) and bronchitis have been denied.,Effective dates earlier than April 8, 2009, for the grants of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee or right knee are not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including hearing loss and various musculoskeletal conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for hearing loss or establish service connection for any of the other claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis on a direct basis unrelated to asbestos exposure, consistent with his separation from military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis was denied due to lack of a chronic residual respiratory disorder. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and deafness in the right ear were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory/lung disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding her active duty training (ACTDUTRA) in Korea in 1990.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles and right foot, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without regular aid of a walker and wheelchair for more than 200 feet. The claim is granted for specially adapted housing.