Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, claimed as bronchitis, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current granulomas disease which is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and chronic bronchitis are less likely related to his military service, including exposure to burning oil wells. The examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely due to long-term cigarette smoking.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his pharyngitis and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, that is due to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any such connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lung cancer, bronchitis, and PTSD have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his severe respiratory conditions and psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including asthma and asthmatic bronchitis, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD has been service-connected since at least May 1994, and the Board finds that new evidence received after the August 1994 rating decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate her claim of service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, which he attributes to in-service asbestos exposure and/or herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found the Veteran's current respiratory disorders less likely related to service due to lack of asbestos exposure. However, additional medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his diagnosed respiratory disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues have been referred for further development.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50% and his pulmonary sarcoidosis with bronchitis and reactive obstructive airway disease is rated at 60%. Both conditions meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's lung disability is related to service.

The Veteran's current bronchitis and COPD are found to have been incurred during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune was denied. The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current liver condition and his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's COPD was initially rated at 10% prior to October 25, 2007 and increased to 30% thereafter. The claim is granted for the period prior to October 25, 2007 but denied on and after that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn. The low back disability was rated as 10 percent prior to May 23, 2014; the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not rated higher than 30 percent; and the psychiatric disability was rated as 70 percent from March 8, 2010, to May 23, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, lower respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disability, and headache disability. The appeals were remanded multiple times but ultimately denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular disease and testicular neoplasm, persistent cough (bronchitis), but denied his claim for tuberculosis. The decision on cold sores was withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing.