Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, obesity, skin disability, low back and neck disabilities, Meniere's disease, heart disability, emphysema, PTSD, bronchitis, genitourinary disability, acid peptic disease, eye infections, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim for chronic bronchitis is also granted due to its association with military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion and considering new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused by his service-connected deviated septum and allergic rhinitis. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or a chronic lung disorder (including chronic bronchitis and COPD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a pulmonary examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorders. The TDIU claim is also deferred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including bronchitis and pneumonia, had their onset in or are related to his active service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand, and additional development is required. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary evidence is obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated as noncompensable prior to May 6, 2015, and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The bronchitis was rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability found. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, gall bladder disease with left-sided stomach pain, skin rash with itching, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and her military service, including exposure to mustard gas.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to mustard gas during active duty. However, the Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the issues of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis does not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training and work experience.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a pulmonary disability (claimed as bronchitis). The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 21, 2009 were denied as there was no pending claim or petition to reopen the claims before that date.

The Board has ordered another remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether bronchitis is related to service-connected asthma and/or sinusitis.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disorders or malaria are related to service.