Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA/VA-authorized treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic bronchitis is granted as his current respiratory disability was first manifest in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pulmonary disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a chronic respiratory disorder claimed as recurrent infections and bronchitis, and a sleep disorder claimed as chronic insomnia and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service incurrence.

The Veteran's COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, and throat cancer were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of the evidence weighs against a finding that these conditions are related to service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his obstructive lung disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis and COPD were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, to include degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, is not related to his active service. The claims for bronchitis and asthma have been REMANDED as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis and allergic rhinitis were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability to include bronchitis that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's in-service treatment for acute bronchitis resolved without residual.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and inconsistencies in his appeal. The issues of service connection for back injury, bronchitis, bilateral knee injuries, and groin/testicular injuries need further clarification and evidence.

The Board has restored the appellant's original 100% disability rating for chronic bronchitis with restrictive lung disease and his special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s), effective April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and the need for additional medical records. The examiner will be asked to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the claimed conditions are related to service or if they represent separate diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a compensable rating for dermatitis of the bilateral hands. The other issues were either not addressed or denied.

The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis with sinusitis warrants staged ratings of 10 percent, but no higher, prior to February 19, 2015, and (an increased) 30 percent, but no higher, from that date. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary emphysema, and bronchitis are not service-connected as they did not have their onset during active duty or were not caused by a service-connected disability.