Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her respiratory disability.

Prior to March 12, 2015, the Veteran's bronchitis with bronchiectasis did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Since March 12, 2015, the Veteran's bronchitis with bronchiectasis met the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and degenerative changes are related to service, granting service connection.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee arthritis. The Board found no evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA social and industrial survey to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected sarcoidosis and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied the increased rating claim. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been incurred in service, while his COPD and chronic bronchitis are found not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchitis were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and there is no evidence showing it was present during service or within one year after service. The VA examiner's opinion supported this finding, concluding that the Veteran's bronchitis is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and chronic bronchitis are not service-connected, as they were more likely caused by his long history of smoking. The PTSD claim was denied as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic bronchitis. The Board found that her schizophrenia did not begin during active military service, and there was no evidence to support a finding that her current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. For chronic bronchitis, the Board noted that the pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service but did not undergo an increase in severity beyond natural progression during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and manifestations of joint and muscle pain, night sweats, fatigue, and neurological symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis, including rhinitis and bronchitis, was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include chronic bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, is being remanded for additional development as the VA examiners did not address whether it was aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between her current condition and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his service, but rather due to tobacco use and not linked to Agent Orange exposure or any other in-service event. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a new examination to address the claims for giant bullous emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and sinus tachycardia.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchitis, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that these conditions did not have their clinical onset in service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for respiratory disorders, including asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis, and seasonal allergies. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if his military service caused or aggravated any preexisting conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues before the Board.