Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial compensable disability rating for COPD with chronic bronchitis. The right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level IV, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia, bronchitis, and right and left knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding dizziness, a rating in excess of 30 percent for ulcerative colitis, a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, and an earlier effective date for service connection for bronchitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied accrued benefits claims for the Veteran's respiratory, seizure, cardiac, skin, eye, and psychiatric disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during or immediately after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema due to acute bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the latter issue is pending further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for COPD with bronchitis and bronchiectasis was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective January 20, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims file to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including lung cancer with scarring, COPD, chronic bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and polycythemia.

The Veteran's service does not qualify for non-service connected death pension benefits as there is no evidence of qualifying wartime service or active duty for training with a service-connected condition. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional testing. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, bronchitis, or an undiagnosed illness, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was substituted as the claimant for his pending claims of service connection for respiratory disability, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for COPD, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome/Sleep Apnea, breathing problems (including bronchitis and emphysema), peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, ingrown toenails of lower extremities, GERD, and edema of lower extremities.

The Board found no evidence of a current bronchitis disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The left knee condition issue is pending due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by his service-connected chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, is related to his period of service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and recurrent pneumonia based on in-service exposure to smoke, gases, and fumes during the July 1967 fire onboard the USS Forrestal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the TDIU issue.