Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's dental disorder claim is denied as there is no indication of bone loss or disease that would qualify for VA compensation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current respiratory disability, and the Board finds that her bronchitis claim cannot be granted. The pre-service tubal ligation is presumed to have occurred prior to service.,The Veteran's gynecological disorder (loose clamp from a prior tubal ligation) claim is denied as there is no evidence of any current condition related to service, and the loose clip was likely not aggravated by service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current headache disability or bilateral hip disability that can be linked to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disability (claimed as a stress fracture) claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory problems, including COPD, sinusitis, and bronchitis, has been reopened. The left shoulder disability rating has been increased to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The VA opinions provided conflicting conclusions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's reimbursement requests for medical expenses are denied as the conditions for reimbursement under VA laws and regulations were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether his current respiratory conditions are residuals of his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus was reopened and granted. The Veteran's recurrent chronic bronchitis has been found to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, but dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis. The Veteran's schizophrenia is considered at least as likely as not having manifested during her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent bronchitis and emphysema are service-connected due to exposure to mustard agent during his military service. The thyroid disorder is not service-connected as it was not caused by ionizing radiation or service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including sinusitis and bronchitis, are not related to his military service. COPD is unrelated to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and bronchitis as there was no evidence of these conditions during or after service, and the Veteran's lay assertions were not credible.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder and respiratory disability are presumed to have been incurred during his service, while the issue of trembling is remanded for further examination.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent asthmatic bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service diagnosis and treatment of chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not that he currently has this condition due to his military service.,The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to be related to his service exposure to radiation and burn pits.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of chronic bronchitis as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis was also addressed, but no decision was made due to a lack of evidence on this specific issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's current chronic lung disability (chronic bronchitis) was not present in service or for many years following his discharge from service, and the most probative evidence indicates that the condition is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder and right elbow disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening his claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The right elbow disability was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hand and ring finger disorder, heart murmur, bilateral knee disorder, bronchitis, and low back disorder are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations.